The Mossel Bay, Overstrand and Swartland K-9 Units, in partnership with the Rural Safety Units (RSUs) in the Overstrand and Swartland areas, once again conducted various crime fighting operations in their respective areas. Between 20 November and 26 November 2023, these units with various other municipal law enforcement agencies and the South African Police Service (SAPS), arrested nineteen (19) individuals for a number of crimes. Of these, seven (7) were arrested in Mossel Bay and the Wilderness, seven (7) were apprehended in the Overstrand municipal area, and five (5) in the Swartland.
The Mossel Bay K-9 unit who had their official launch a week ago, are continuing to make inroads in the Garden Route area. On the day of the launch, the unit assisted with the arrest of two suspects, while also ensuring that 24 mandrax tablets and 34,7 grams of tik could be confiscated in the Mossel Bay area. One (1) further arrest occurred, with the unit also discovering a cannabis laboratory in the Wilderness area, where a large quantity of dagga plants, fertilizer and equipment was confiscated. Additional arrests which occurred in Tarka are:
- x2 for possession of drugs,
- x1 for possession of a firearm and mandrax and
- x1 for possession of stolen copper.
The Swartland units had operations in Malmesbury, Riebeek Valley, Moorreesburg and Darling. A significant drug bust was made in Darling, which included the confiscation of 757 mandrax tablets. Arrests also occurred in Mooreesburg and Darling, consisted of:
- x1 for dealing in liquor,
- x2 dealing in drugs and
- x1 possession of drugs.
The units also confiscated:
- x6 small zipper bags of tik,
- x5 large parcels of dagga and
- x3 bags filled with dagga.
Amongst others the Overstand arrests included:
- x2 possession of abalone,
- x1 for possession of drugs
- x1 for attempted robbery and
- -x1 wanted suspects.
This unit confiscated:
- x1415 units of abalone,
- x794 units of abandoned abalone and
- x3,5kg of dagga.
Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen said, “These arrests and confiscations give me a sense of satisfaction, as our units are assisting in the removal of illicit items and ensuring that criminals can no longer roam our streets. These actions demonstrate what the Western Cape Safety Plan (WCSP) seeks to achieve. As we enter the festive period, I want to assure our residents that we will enhance our operations, as we want to ensure that criminals are unable to operate in any of our communities.”
“I urge all our residents to continue supporting these and all other law enforcement agencies, so that greater safety can be achieved across the entire province. With everyone’s buy in, we can ensure that the Western Cape becomes the safest province in the country, where all can live without fear and in an improved and dignified manner,” concluded Minister Reagen Allen.
Media Enquiries:
Marcellino Martin
Spokesperson for Minister Reagen Allen
E-mail: Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za
Tell: 021 483 0103
Cell: 082 721 3362
