WESTERN CAPE: Operation Restore, a targeted Western Cape intervention aimed at disarming criminals in identified communities of illegal firearms and ammunition and curbing serious crime, is progressively making a difference with the seizure of 37 firearms, 354 rounds of ammunition and 40 arrests in a week.
The provincial intervention comprises targeted operations in the form of roadblocks, search and seizure operations, vehicle checkpoints, tracing operations and also executes search warrants at identified policing precincts plagued by violent crimes. The concerted efforts of the additional deployments address serious and violent crimes throughout the province, especially in areas where crime levels are high. The Operation Restore deployments that are intelligence-led were executed throughout the week and have since last Thursday(04 August 2022) also resulted in the seizure of 8803 litres of alcohol from unlicensed liquor premises, that are also considered crime generators.
Of the 37 firearms confiscated with 40 arrests, twelve were recovered in Delft and six in the Nyanga precinct.
An array of drugs seized from the operations included the following amongst others:
• 7780 X Mandrax tablets
• 5,204 kg X Cannabis
• 6,73 kg X Crystal Meth
• 376 grams X Heroine
An assortment of 264 dangerous weapons including knives, scissors, pangas and other sharp objects were also seized with several arrests effected. All arrested suspects appeared in various courts.
The success of these operations is dependent on assistance from communities as police also rely on tip-offs to fight crime.
All recovered firearms will be subjected to ballistic testing to determine if it was utilised in the commission of crime.
Anyone with information about illegal firearms, ammunition and other crimes is kindly requested to contact their local police station or the Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or alternatively utilise the mobile application MySAPS. Your anonymity will be protected.