16 suspects appeared briefly in courts across the Uthukela Cluster on Monday (May 29). This follows their arrest during crime prevention operations conducted in Ntabamhlophe, Ezakheni and Estcourt over the weekend.
These operations were the result of joint efforts by the Uthukela Cluster Task Team, Tactical Response Team (TRT) and officers attached to various police stations.
Of these arrests, three were for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and two for possession of dagga.
In the firearm-related cases, a 21-year-old suspect was arrested in the Gcinalishona area of Ezakheni after being found in possession of a 9mm pistol and 10 rounds of ammunition.
Also read: Over 100 firearms seized by KZN police in October
A 28-year-old man was arrested in the Ezakheni area after being found in possession of a 9mm pistol and seven seven rounds of ammunition, while a 48-year-old suspect was arrested in the Gudlintaba area of Roosboom after he was found in possession of a 9mm pistol and six rounds of ammunition.
One of the suspects has been linked to and charged in a robbery case as well.
Then, two suspects aged 45 and 48 were arrested for being in possession of dagga. The total weight of the recovered drugs is 172kg and has a street value of around R258,000.
All the recovered firearms will be subjected to ballistic testing to determine whether they have been used to commit crimes anywhere in the country.
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