Stolen goods and illegal alcohol confiscated in police swoop

ABOUT 508 litres of illegally-traded alcohol was confiscated, stolen items recovered and four people were arrested this morning, 24 April in Clairwood, during a search by Brighton Beach SAP.

According to operational commander, Lt Col Zama Mthali, the purpose of the search operation, which began at about 2.30am and lasted three hours, was to “eradicate the criminal elements within Clairwood.”

The first of four arrests was a man, who was seen fleeing the area as police searched. He was quickly tracked down and he confessed to the theft of two truck tyres. The tyres were recovered and he was arrested for possession of stolen property.

A couple with sweets, sodas and cosmetics could not adequately explain how they came to be in possession of the items and were also arrested for being in possession of stolen goods. It was later established the goods has been stolen earlier from a business in Montclair.

Police then came across an Illegal liquor outlet, which was searched, and 508 litres of alcohol was seized. When the owner of the outlet later arrived at the police station and demanded his alcohol returned to him, he was arrested for illegally trading in alcohol.

Two 9mm gun magazines and a toy gun were also recovered during the operation.

“I am pleased with what we achieved within three hours. The Illegal trade of alcohol, theft of truck tyres – which is a problematic crime for us – and the illegal trade of stolen items, was addressed. Thank-you to all members involved for their dedication, which ensured the arrests and confiscation of several items.”