Unlicensed firearms and drugs confiscated
The recovered firearms will be taken to ballistics to ascertain if they were used in a commission of any crime in the country
Five suspects have appeared in court after being arrested in separate cases in the Uthukela Cluster for the possession of drugs and firearms. The first suspect, aged 40, was arrested in the early hours of March 4.
Estcourt police officers reacted to a tip off and visited a home in the Mngwenya location. “During a search of the property, a rifle was discovered hidden under a mattress. A further search resulted in the recovery of 62 live rounds of ammunition,” said police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane.
The suspect faces charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The second suspect, aged 29, was arrested on the evening of March 6, when Ntabamhlophe Visible Policing members received information about an unlicensed firearm.
“The police officers immediately made their way to the KwaMkhize area where the person was found. He was in possession of an unlicensed Norinco 9mm pistol and six rounds of ammunition,” commented Major Zwane.
The third suspect was arrested on March 6 at Amangwe when police officers got a tip off that a person in the Tatane location had an illegal firearm in his possession.
On arriving at the premises police conducted a search, which resulted in the recovery of a 9mm pistol with seven live rounds of ammunition. A 33-year-old suspect was arrested and faces charges of being in possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.
“Bringing up the total to five, two other suspects were arrested at Cathedral Peak after two rangers noticed the men coming down the mountain carrying bags with them.
“They contacted the Bergville police and officers rushed out to the scene where they arrested the men. The two were found in possession of around 30kgs of dagga. The suspects aged 28 and 39 appeared in the Bergville Magistrates Court where they face charges of dealing in dagga. The street value of the dagga is estimated at R45 000,” explained Major Zwane.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni praised the members for the recovery of the unlicensed firearms and dagga.
“The recovered firearms will be taken to ballistics to ascertain if they were used in a commission of any crime in the country,” she said.
