GQEBERHA – Police in Gqeberha are sending out a clear message to criminals that they will be identified and their drug dens destroyed, as they (the police) exact the authority of the State.
In the last 48 hours, 22 suspects were arrested for drug related cases and two for illegal possession of firearms.
On Monday, 05 September 2022 at about 15:30, Nelson Mandela Bay District Crime Combatting Unit (CCU) members were patrolling in Motherwell when they received information of a male in possession of a firearm in Ingobo Street, Motherwell .Members spotted the suspect and when he noticed the police vehicle, he started running. Members chased after him on foot and found him hiding inside a shack. A .38 special revolver (serial number filed off) was found inside his bag. Cash, mandrax (89), dagga (rolls), a scale and unused tik pipes were also found in his shack.
The 30-year-old suspect was arrested and detained on charges of possession of a prohibited firearm and dealing in drugs.
On 05 September 2022 at about 22:00, Anti-Gang Unit members followed up on information about drugs and suspected stolen property that was at a house in Mitchell Street in Kariega. The house and the outbuilding were searched and mandrax (24), tik (26 packets), a Stihl chainsaw and a Stihl portable grinder were seized. No one was arrested and an enquiry docket was opened for further investigation. During the same evening, AGU members also confiscated 48 mandrax tablets from a house in Kwanobuhle.
Gqeberha K9 Unit members recovered two stolen vehicles last night, 05 September 20222 in North End and Kwazakele respectively. At about 20:45, a white Suzuki Celerio was recovered after it was taken in a house robbery in Kwazakele. At about 00:45 this morning, 06 September 2022, a Ford Ranger was also recovered at a guest house in North End. The vehicle was reported stolen earlier in the day from Ikamvelihle. Both vehicles were impounded for further investigation.
Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Maj Gen Vuyisile Ncata reiterated that drugs and illegal firearms are major contributory factors to gang violence which inevitably would affect and compromise the safety and security of innocent law abiding citizens. “The efforts of our police members are appreciated and the arrests and confiscations of drugs and firearms will send a clear and loud message that there is no space in the NMB district for crime and criminals,” warned Maj Gen Ncata.
Source: South African Police Service