WATCH: Operation Shanela II brings high-impact policing to Brakpan
A joint force of SAPS, EMPD and other law enforcement agencies descended along the notorious R23, recovering drugs and an illegal firearm.
Police intensified efforts in Brakpan as Operation Shanela II netted numerous suspects linked to serious and violent crimes, including offences against women and children, while illegal firearms and drugs were confiscated.
Operation Shanela II was conducted on February 26, when a multi-disciplinary team set up a roadblock along Heidelberg Road (R23), a notorious local stomping ground for hijackers.
The roadblock aimed to search for drugs, illicit goods, contraband, unlicensed firearms and other illegal items.
Members from various SAPS stations in Ekurhuleni, EMPD, Gauteng traffic wardens, the Department of Home Affairs and other stakeholders tackled crime from all angles.
Ekurhuleni SAPS District Commissioner Major General Anna Sithole joined officers at the roadblock. The roadblock was held near Koot Street, with additional boots on the ground deployed in town. A team also conducted an awareness campaign at Mall@Carnival.
According to Sithole, the operation was conducted in Brakpan after crime statistics revealed the area faces challenges related to contact crimes, car hijackings and property-related offences.
She explained the first phase of the operation started the previous night, with detectives and crime intelligence officers tracing wanted suspects throughout Ekurhuleni.
“One-hundred-and-twenty-three were arrested for contact crimes, 12 for property crimes, 73 for other serious crimes, and 41 were arrested for GBV,” Sithole told the Brakpan Herald.
She added that 45 suspected illegal immigrants were arrested at the roadblock, along with three suspects for drug-related offences. Police confiscated crystal meth and nyaope.
Sithole added that officers recovered one firearm, with one person arrested for possession of an illegal firearm. One suspect was also arrested for possession of stolen property.
It was later reported that four liquor outlets were shut down and their owners fined for contravening the Gauteng Liquor Act.
In total, 978 wanted suspects were arrested for serious and violent crimes, 260 of them for crimes committed against women and children.
VIDEO:
@brakpan_herald Operation Shanela in action on the R23 #crimefighter #crime #policeoperation #operationshanela
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