CRIMINALS in Mitchell’s Plain felt the wrath of the police as several crime prevention operations reaped rewards.

Police arrested 103 suspects for drug possession and another three for the possession of unlicensed firearms this past weekend.

Spokesperson for Mitchell’s Plain Police, Constable Jerome Voegt, says police were doing patrols in Saringa Street, Westridge on Friday when they noticed a suspicious-looking man standing near a known drug house.

“The man was searched and officers confiscated 23 small packets of tik and one heroin unit,” says Voegt.

On Sunday officers received information about a black Tata Indica in Sapphire Street, Rocklands. Police discovered that the vehicle had been hijacked in Grassy Park. Members searched the vehicle and confiscated two firearms. Three suspects were arrested.

Later that afternoon, the officers were doing patrols in Valley Street, Tafelsig, when they noticed another suspicious-looking man.

The suspect was stopped and searched and 100 mandrax tablets were confiscated.

Officers seized and impounded 553 cartons of counterfeit Pacific cigarettes and 47 cartons of counterfeit Chicago cigarettes with a street value of R60000 in Aquarius Street, Rocklands.

Officers were alerted to the counterfeit goods thanks to a tip-off. One suspect was arrested for possession of counterfeit items.

Metro Police officers also arrested another suspect in the Town Centre after 50 packets of counterfeit Pacific cigarettes valued at R500 were found at his take-away shop, says Richard Bosman, the City of Cape Town’s director for Safety and Security.

On Sunday afternoon the decomposed body of a man was found in bushes behind a cabin at Blue Waters Resort.

The body was discovered by Elsie Damons, who was gathering firewood.

Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, head of Disaster Risk Management Centre, says the law enforcement agencies and the police went to the scene.

“According to preliminary reports, it appears that the body could have been lying in the bushes for up to a year based on the extent of the decomposition. It is unclear how long it will take an examiner to make a positive identification, or if one will even be possible,” says Johannes.

The area was combed by crime scene investigators and an inquest docket has been opened. The body was taken to Salt River Mortuary.

Abalone busts

On Thursday, the Mitchell’s Plain Tactical Response Unit (TRT) arrested a Zimbabwean national for the illegal possession of abalone with an estimated street value of R5 million. Voegt says that at about 08:30, police were on Baden Powell Drive, near the Khayelitsha off ramp, observing and waiting for a maroon Toyota Dina truck to pass.

“On the back of the truck they discovered 5 127 abalone. A 32-year-old man was arrested,” says Voegt.

In a separate incident on Tuesday, a 34-year-old man was arrested in Portlands for the illegal possession of abalone.

The arrest followed a tip-off from the community. Voegt says that during crime prevention operations in the area that night, the police received information about a large quantity of abalone stored at a house in Falkland Street.

“On arrival, the officers searched and discovered 2522 abalone with an estimated street value of R2 million,” he says.

Renew your firearm licence

Gun owners are reminded that many licenses issued in terms of the Firearm Controls Act will expire this year, and need to be renewed. This process is not automatic, and a licensee will have to submit an application 90 days prior to the expiry date at his or her local police station.

The Mitchell’s Plain Designated Firearm Officer, Warrant Officer Winston Titus, will be on duty during February from 14:00 until 22:00 on Wednesdays and Thursdays to assist licensees.

For more information contact (021)3701641.