US$17k drug bust, over 250 arrests in City of Cape Town
The City of Cape Town enforcement agencies have yielded significant success as they arrested more than 254 suspects over the past week.
CAPE TOWN, May 10 (ANA) – The City of Cape Town enforcement agencies have yielded significant success with the arrests of more than 254 suspects over the past week.
In a statement released on Monday, mayoral committee member for safety and security, Alderman JP Smith said the number of arrests this past week increased by 96 from the previous week.
Members of the Metro Police department were also lauded for a drug bust on Sunday at a building in Goodwood.
Smith said officers attached to the K9 Unit reacted to information about illegal substances being held at a building in the area.
Just before 2pm, officers followed up on the information and while searching the premises found methamphetamine in a carrier bag with an estimated street value of R250,000 (US$17,850).
The drugs were booked in as abandoned at Goodwood police station.
Smith said the bust was a success and commended the person who provided the tip-off, as well as members for their quick response.
He said this bust came a week after another drug bust from officers attached to the Metal Theft Unit where drugs with an estimated street value of R2.5 million (US$178,508) were seized and three suspects arrested.
“Visible policing and community cooperation are two key elements in fighting crime, as these successes show,” Smith said.
Metro Police made 86 arrests, 37 of which were drug related, 44 arrests were on a range of charges, which included outstanding warrants and domestic violence.
Officers also issued 5,214 fines for traffic and bylaw transgressions.
Officers attached to the Traffic Service arrested 101 suspects, impounded 193 vehicles, confiscated 135 cell phones and issued 67,025 fines for road safety related transgressions.
Smith said 29 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol while 32 were arrested for reckless and negligent driving.
Officers attached to the Law Enforcement department arrested 67 suspects for various offences such as possession of drugs, metal theft and violence.
Smith said of the total arrests made, its Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers made 56 arrests.
He said officers also issued 3,827 fines, of which 186 were for not wearing face masks.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Naomi Mackay
