Ten suspects arrested in joint operations

PARKGATE – An unlicensed shotgun, an unlicensed revolver, ammunition, stolen water meters, illicit liquor, drugs & other dangerous weapons were recovered in a Joint Operation.

A Zimbabwean, an Ethiopian & eight South Africans were arrested in the operation that targeted the Verulam Central Business District, Ottawa, Parkgate, Trenance Park & surrounding high risk areas. SAPS officers with Metro Police & Reaction Unit South Africa conducted the operation for several hours using uniformed & plain clothed Officers.

An unlicensed shotgun and a revolver with a filed off serial number & several live rounds of ammunition were found hidden in a ceiling in Trenance Park. Boxes of liquor with fake branding was recovered in the same vicinity.

A female scrap metal dealer operating from Parkgate was arrested after stolen water meters, fire hydrants & metal pipes taken in Infrastructure Damage cases were found on the property. The female informed Officers that the business belonged to a Foreign National that had encouraged the sale of water meters by paying drug users to steal from residential properties.

Other suspects were charged for Possession of Drugs, Possession of Dangerous Weapons & Unlaw Possession of Ammunition. Disruptive Operations by Law Enforcement in recent weeks has drastically decreased the crime in surrounding areas.