GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Recent crime-combatting operations in the Garden Route led to the arrest of 76 suspects. Of these, 53 were arrested as a result of police action and 23 for outstanding warrants of arrests.
This forms part of the Western Cape policing strategy (Ceppat) which is aimed at creating safer communities through targeted operations.
Police arrested one suspect for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, five suspects for dealing in drugs, eight for possession of drugs, three for dealing in drugs, 29 undocumented persons and four for possession of stolen property. Others were arrested for reported crimes.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies, 248 Mandrax tablets, 45g tik, 815g dagga, 9g khat, an unlicensed pistol with two rounds of ammunition and various items presumed to be stolen were confiscated during the operation.
Several arrests were made during the operation.
Officers deployed
along highways, by-ways and secondary roads in conjunction with provincial traffic searched 612 vehicles and issued 23 traffic fines valued at R32 350.
A dedicated team of police members from the Firearms, Liquor and Second-hand goods (Flash) environment also embarked on compliance inspections at licensed liquor outlets, security companies, scrap yards and second-hand dealers.
Areas covered during the operations included George, Mossel Bay, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Oudtshoorn, Uniondale and Ladismith.
The George taxi rank was also paid a visit.
Heightened crime prevention
A heavy contingent of police officials were deployed across the Garden Route on Monday
22 May to execute crime prevention operations at identified locations throughout the district. The deployment forms part of Ceppat. Ceppat was conceptualised in February 2022 at a strategic planning session in Mossel Bay.
Some of the drugs confiscated during the operation this week.
The strategy is underpinned by the following six pillars that form the acronym:
- Cohesive pace-setting leadership
- Evidence-based proactive policing
- Purpose-driven quality investigations
- Partnership policing and professional service delivery
- Appropriate resourcing
- Technology and innovation
Coupled with the operations, senior management from five other districts and the provincial office visited and inspected police stations throughout the district with a view to improving service delivery.
Western Cape provincial management addressing the parade in George.
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