Pretoria police arrest over 1 000 in week-long police operations
Among the various items that were confiscated, including liquor and drugs, police also confiscated two crocodile skins valued at R200 000.
Police have apprehended 1 005 suspects for various crimes and recovered three firearms during six highly visible week-long operations in different parts of Tshwane.
The operation consisted of high-visibility patrols in crime hotspots, business compliance inspections, and raids on illicit liquor outlets on the first day of the month.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan Van Dyk said these operations are part of the Tshwane team’s continued commitment to fight crime.
Commencing on Sunday, February 4 in Sunnyside, the police arrested eight undocumented immigrants and one person for employing undocumented immigrants for being in contravention of the Immigration Act.
Four more people were arrested for possession of various drugs when 11 ziplock plastic bags containing various narcotics were found in their possession.
Van Dyk said one suspect was arrested for possession of illicit cigarettes with 26 000 cigarettes found in his possession.
Van Dyk stated, “In this operation, 110 persons and 97 vehicles were searched.”
The operation continued on Monday, February 5 in Temba when 10 illegal immigrants, 6 suspects for drinking in public, and four suspected drug dealers were arrested.
“Four liquor premises were inspected with all four outlets being fined for non-compliance with the Liquor Act. 400 persons, 180 vehicles, and 30 businesses were visited and searched.”
On Wednesday, February 7, a compliance operation was executed in the Pretoria Central Policing Area.
“Five liquor outlets were inspected with two being closed, with their liquor being confiscated for contravening the Liquor Act. “
Van Dyk said another Operation Shanela was executed in the early hours of Thursday, February 8, within the Policing Precinct of Pretoria Central.
“Collaborative efforts involving multiple stakeholders resulted in the apprehension of 40 undocumented immigrants.”
17 premises were searched, with five liquor outlets visited, leading to the closure of one and the seizure of 3 295 520 ml of liquor.
Van Dyk added that eight businesses were inspected by the Department of Labour, with six being issued with contravention notices.
He said two crocodile skins valued at R200 000 were found abandoned and were confiscated.
A roadblock conducted during the operation resulted in the issuance of 266 Aarto infringement notices, totalling R 106 000.
The operation also involved searches of 1 448 people and 913 vehicles with 76 vehicles being tested to ensure they were not stolen.
Concurrently, detectives from various police stations in the city apprehended 291 suspects wanted for various crimes, including 109 arrests related to Gender-Based Violence, three for murder, four for attempted murder, six involved in armed robberies, and six for rape.
Van Dyk said on Friday, February 9, a liquor and second-hand goods compliance operation was conducted in Temba and Hammanskraal policing precincts.
“During these operations, six liquor premises were inspected with three being closed, and the owners arrested for contravening the Liquor Act, with 341 214 ml of liquor confiscated,” said Van Dyk.
He said four second-hand goods premises were inspected, which resulted in fines being issued to all the owners for non-compliance with the Second Hand Goods Act.
A crime prevention operation was also conducted in the Mamelodi East policing area on Friday.
“Ten illegal immigrants were arrested with 22 Aarto fines issued totalling R 18 750 and 127 people and 41 vehicles were searched.”
Throughout the week, a total of 3 325 people and 1 956 vehicles underwent thorough searches at roadblocks, resulting in the issuance of 343 Aarto fines totalling R 139 850.
Additionally, 147 undocumented immigrants were arrested.
20 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, 26 for drinking in public, and six for possession of drugs, with 12 ziplock bags containing various drugs, and 10 for dealing in drugs.
Two people found themselves behind bars for being in possession of 264 000 illegal cigarettes.
Law enforcement inspected 51 liquor outlets, resulting in 21 closures for non-compliance with the Liquor Act and a total of 4 572 611 ml of liquor confiscated.
“These items will be disposed of once the criminal cases have been finalized. ten second-hand premises were inspected with eight fined for non-compliance with the Second Hand Goods Act.”
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