GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Excellent cooperation between the Eden police stations and their counterparts yielded exceptional results during a joint crime combatting operation from 19 to 21 January.
The operation focused on monitoring and policing of the main entrance and exit routes between provinces in an attempt to eradicate the flow of illegal goods and drugs into the Western Cape.
This integrated approach included all police units, provincial and municipal traffic departments, Sars, Nature Conservation, private security companies, community police forums and neighbourhood watch groups.
Besides various arrests that were made, 3 963 bundles of khat, more than 5kg dagga, small quantities of tik and Mandrax tablets were confiscated.
“They also confiscated a substantial amount of illicit / counterfeit goods to the estimated value of R433 129, with brand names such as Nike, Adidas, All Star and Fila,” said Southern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Malcolm Pojie.
“A total of 50 admission of guilt fines to the combined amount of approximately R48 500 were issued for traffic violations and other minor offences. During these operations, members searched 352 vehicles and 441 people.
"On Friday 21 January, members of the Eden Flying Squad, assisted by the sector commander, followed up information received of a drug deal to be pulled off at a garage in George. They spotted the vehicle, a VW Polo that was described to them, and witnessed the delivery as it took place.
"They stopped the vehicle in its tracks and ensued with a search where they found three boxes containing 3 920 bundles of khat. A Somalian national (34) was arrested and detained at George police holding cells. He was granted bail to appear in court on a later date for the illegal possession of drugs.
A variety of drugs has been confiscated since Thursday 20 January.
On Thursday 20 January, police pulled over a passenger bus at the N2 Tsitsikamma toll gate and searched the luggage compartment, where they found the counterfeit goods.
“No arrests were made as no one could account for it at the time. However an enquiry was opened for further investigation. An arrest is imminent. Besides the above successes, we are confident that a significant decline in most categories of crime was achieved for the duration of these operations.
"The absence of serious crime in especially the rural areas within the Eden Cluster can be attributed to the high density patrols and visible policing in these remote areas,” said Pojie.
Bundles of khat and other drugs confiscated since last week.
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