Fairland Police Station is hoping the latest success from a resident’s anonymous tip-off will lead to more people reporting a crime in this manner. On 28 October, the station was part of a joint operation led by National Crime Intelligence where a suspect was arrested and charged for being in possession of drug-manufacturing products and equipment and drugs to the value of R240 000.
According to Fairland police’s spokespersons Sergeant Michael Kgatla, it was a tip-off that led to the discovery. “A resident had informed the police of suspicious activity taking place at the house and the necessary investigations resulted in us being given a search warrant for the property where we found the equipment and drugs.”
Joining the National Crime Intelligence for the operation was the Provincial Investigating Unit, West Rand K9 Unit and Randburg Police Station. The suspect was found alone in the house and was arrested without any major challenges.
Kgatla thanked the participating units and committed the station to continue fighting drug production and usage. “We will do everything in our power to reduce drug manufacturing and selling in our area but we ask the community to help us with this fight by letting us know what is taking place around them.”
He said the station would act on information relating to crimes taking place in the region to make it a safer place.
In recent weeks, community members who had witnessed the robbery of a store in Berario shared details of the getaway car with the police. Three suspects were involved in the incident with two of them entering the store to rob the security guard of his firearm and store of cash and items to the value of R3 000.
The third suspect waited in the car for his accomplices but couldn’t speed off before residents could gather information about the vehicle. Kgatla stated, “Thanks to the community we were able to identify the car and its owner and confirm that he was the first person arrested in connection with this case. Follow-ups resulted in us finding a second and third suspect with a fourth still at large.”
Kgatla encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity taking place around them. “Whatever it is call us, we will come and assist any member of the public with any crime, safety and security issue.”
Details: Fairland Police Station 011 478 9413.
