Gauteng police arrest 83 suspects and seize drugs
Rapid Response teams recovered 34 stolen vehicles and confiscated drugs worth over R200 000 during weeklong operations.
From August 29 to September 4, Rapid Response Services across Gauteng, including the Flying Squad, K9 Units, and Highway Patrol, made 71 arrests, recovered 33 stolen or hijacked vehicles, and seized two firearms.
Spokesperson Warrant Officer Grant Giblin said members conducted concentrated operations, vehicle checkpoints, secure escorts, and intensive patrols.
These led to 36 arrests for serious crimes, including assault, possession of suspected stolen property, armed robbery, attempted murder, kidnapping, tampering with essential infrastructure, housebreaking, fraud, reckless and negligent driving, and discharging a firearm in public.
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In addition, 27 arrests were linked to the possession and dealing of drugs such as heroin, dagga, crystal meth, cocaine, and mandrax. Investigations into all cases are ongoing, and suspects are set to appear in magistrates’ courts across Gauteng.
Then, between September 1 and 7, Benoni Flying Squad members arrested 12 suspects, recovered drugs, and seized one stolen vehicle.
On Saturday at around 13:00, officers patrolling the R555 near Etwatwa pulled over a reckless white Isuzu truck. Inside, they discovered 60 bags of compressed dagga, valued at more than R200 000.
The two suspects, aged 32 and 47, were arrested and detained at Etwatwa SAPS. The truck and dagga were booked as evidence.
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In further operations, seven suspects aged 21 to 39 were arrested in Etwatwa (Dove Street, Emaphupheni), Kaalfontein (Ivory Park), Pomona Road (Kempton Park), and Brakpan. Drugs including nyaope, cocaine, Mandrax, and crystal meth were confiscated.
Two suspects, aged 39 and 40, were arrested in separate incidents for drunk driving in Van Dyk Park and Benoni, while another suspect, aged 34, was arrested for shoplifting at Lakeside Mall, Benoni.
Police also recovered an abandoned stolen silver BMW at a shopping centre in Boksburg North.
All suspects will appear in local magistrate’s courts on charges ranging from drug possession and dealing to shoplifting and driving under the influence.
