The Provincial Organised Crime Unit found 21 sticks of Ammonium Nitrate blasting explosives at the residence of 42-year-old man in Ikageng, Extension 2 in Sarafina, this past Friday, 19 August.

This was after a search warrant was obtained to search the house. The man was subsequently arrested for possession of explosives.

This was one of the police operations that formed past of Operation Shanela this past weekend, where 1059 suspects were arrested in North West from Thursday, 17 August to Sunday, 20 August.

The suspects were nabbed for crimes such as 48 for possession of drugs, 42 for dealing in drugs, 27 for illegal dealing in liquor, 90 for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), 52 for assault common, 31 for burglaries, 25 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, ten for murder and 209 illegal immigrants were taken in for processing by Department of Home Affairs.

Shanela operations also resulted in the confiscation of 9 firearms, 1 rifle, 2 shotguns, knives, precious metals, tobacco products, a truck, 8 vehicles, a variety of drugs, explosives and liquor.

Furthermore, 5 458 persons and 2506 vehicles were searched, while 199 licensed liquor premises were inspected of which 27 unlicensed liquor premises were closed down.