Kwa-Zulu Natal SAPS recently launched its Festive Season Operation and is yielding beneficial results, with a total of 422 suspects arrested.

These operations, which commenced on November 16 and ended on November 23, seized a number of drugs inclusive of dagga, cocaine, whoonga and heroine.

A few of the many offences resulting in arrests were, possession of drugs, traffic-related offences, theft of motor vehicles and theft, assault, shoplifting, possession of unlicensed firearms, public drunkenness, housebreak-ins, gambling, prostitution, dealing in liquor and murder.

Stolen motor vehicles and house hold items stolen during house break-ins and armed robberies across 10 different clusters in KZN including uThukela were also recovered.

“We reiterate that our mission to selflessly protect all the citizens of our province from criminals.

We again warn the criminals that the police will overcome any resistance to effect arrests and will not hesitate to decisively defend themselves when attacked in the execution of their duties.

“Every day our police officers face the possibility of being killed when they put on their uniform and go out to serve their community. Such attacks on police officers will not deter us from carrying out our mandate.

“We congratulate the team for the recovery of the unlicensed firearms, drugs and stolen property,” said Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni.