WESTERN CAPE - Several suspects were landed behind bars on Tuesday in Milnerton, Mitchells Plain and Gugulethu for possession of unlicensed firearms and drugs. 

The Provincial Integrated Team was led by intelligence to an address in Phoenix, Milnerton, where a search resulted in the discovery of an unlicensed 9mm pistol and ammunition of various calibres. The suspect, a female of 24, was arrested. As the operation progressed, two male suspects aged 22 and 25 with Mandrax and ammunition were arrested, and another male suspect of 35 was apprehended with Mandrax tablets, too. In his possession was R7 200 in cash, believed to be the proceeds of drug trafficking, which was also confiscated.

In Mitchells Plain, the Crime Prevention Unit reacted on information from the public the night before last and arrested a 30-year-old male in a house in Valencia Way, Westridge, for being in possession of an unlicensed .38 Special revolver without a serial number, and five rounds of ammunition. It is believed that the suspect is linked to a local gang in the area.

The Gugulethu Crime Prevention Unit received a tip-off last night that a Toyota Quantum with armed suspects had been spotted in New Cross Roads. Following a thorough search of the area, the vehicle was located and pulled over. The subsequent search led to the discovery of a 9mm pistol without a serial number, ammunition and 90 Mandrax tablets. All five suspects aged between 15 and 45 were arrested.

Once charged, all ten suspects are due to make their court appearances in Cape Town, Athlone and Mitchells Plain respectively.

Editor: Anchen Coetzee
Subeditor: Wahl Lessing
Submitted by: Col Andrè Traut