More drugs were seized and unlicensed firearms removed from the hands of the criminals in Gauteng

In the past four days, police in Gauteng recovered more than 30 unlicensed firearms and 463 rounds of ammunition from the hands of the perpetrators and seized drugs worth millions of rands. The firearms are believed to be used in the commission of serious and violent crimes, which include murder, car hijacking, and business robberies.

A team comprising of various law enforcement agencies followed up on information about armed suspects that are allegedly involved in hijackings of cars in Ekurhuleni. On Wednesday 26 May 2022, after thorough observation, the team pounced on them at a house in Tembisa where they found one suspect with a pistol, a replica of a firearm, more than 40 mandrax tablets, and equipment believed to be used to manufacture drugs. A preliminary investigation revealed that the 41-year-old suspect is a parolee.

In a separate incident, on Wednesday 25 May 2022, members of Sedibeng Flying Squad were conducting a stop and search operation in Grasmere Toll plaza when they intercepted a truck that was transporting drugs from Gauteng to Free State Province. Inside the truck, police recovered different kinds of drugs that included cocaine, cat, and compressed dagga worth millions of rands.

In Florida, west of Johannesburg, police from Crime Intelligence, K9, Provincial Organised Crime Investigation (Narcotics), and members of Fidelity Security Services executed a search warrant on Tuesday 24 May 2022, after receiving information about a house where drugs are sold.

Upon searching the house and backroom, police found unlicensed firearms, rifles and pistols, dagga, scales, cash, and other items suspected to be stolen. Three suspects aged 31, 32, and 33 were arrested and charged with dealing drugs, possession of suspected stolen goods, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

The rest of the firearms and ammunition were recovered as a result of the police’s resolve to continue fighting the proliferation of illegal firearms across the province.