The determination by members attached to Maitland Flying Squad to decrease crime in our communities and to put the perpetrators of the law behind bars yielded positive results when they arrested several suspects for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and the illegal possession of abalone on separate occasions on Thursday, 12 September 2024.
A crime intelligence driven operation by Maitland Flying Squad in conjunction with members attached to Provincial Crime Intelligence, Stock Theft Unit and Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in the Philippi area led to the arrest of four suspects aged between 19 and 33 for the illegal possession of abalone.
A premises in Schaap Road, Schaapkraal, was searched and 3281 units of dry abalone and 1359 units of wet abalone with an estimated street value of R1.4 million were confiscated. Members also seized equipment that were used to dry the abalone, on the premises. Three vehicles were also handed in as part of the operation.
The suspects were detained at Philippi SAPS, and are due to appear in the Athlone Magistrate's Court, once they are charged.
Last night the members received information about a person with a firearm in the Browns Farm area. The information was immediately followed up and members got the identified person in Nabeleni Street, Browns Farm, with an unlicensed pistol and 28, 9mm rounds of ammunition in his possession.
A 52-year-old suspect was arrested and detained at Athlone SAPS, for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He is due to appear in the Athlone Magistrate's Court, once he is charged.