During an evening operation in Meyersdal, Johannesburg, the South African Police Service (SAPS) seized 30 9mm unlicensed firearms. Two suspects were subsequently arrested for the possession of the illegal firearms.
“The SAPS anti-kidnapping task team believes it has broken the back of a syndicate involved in the trafficking of unlicensed firearms,” said SAPS.
According to intelligence gathered by the SAPS anti-kidnapping task team, the illegal guns were destined for the Western Cape. The province is rife with gun violence. The police said the suspects were allegedly intending on transporting the illegal guns themselves.
SAPS COLLABORATION YEILDS RESULTS
SAPS said it was collaboration between the anti-kidnapping unit and crime intelligence that led to intercepting the gun trafficking syndicate. They also partnered with the Gauteng Provincial Investigating Unit(PIU), JHB K9, JMPD and private security.
“The arrest of the 34 and 45-year- old suspects follows several days of surveillance and information gathering across provinces where suspects involved in the moving of unlicensed firearms were identified,” said SAPS.
According to police, as the suspects collected the firearms, the team was on their tail and were preparing for a tactical takedown.
POLICE LINK GUN TRAFFICKING SYNDICATE SUSPECTS TO OTHER CASES
“Both suspects have been linked to various other cases in Gauteng and the Western Cape,” said SAPS.
The suspects are in custody. Police confirmed that they are facing multiple charges that include illegal possession and trafficking of firearms
SAPS concluded by saying that the investigation is ongoing and they intend on tracking down more members of this illegal firearm trafficking syndicate soon.
SHOULD POLICE CONDUCT MORE EVENING OPERATIONS
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