CAPE TOWN – Members of the Western Cape Flying Squad foiled an alleged kidnapping plot in Retreat yesterday (Friday 26 June), arresting four men and seizing an assault rifle, a pistol and ammunition.

According to a statement by the Western Cape police, the arrests followed intelligence gathered by Crime Intelligence, which indicated that suspects travelling in a silver Toyota Rumion were allegedly planning to kidnap a victim in the area.

The Flying Squad members traced the vehicle on 11th Avenue in Retreat on Friday.

During their search of the vehicle, officers recovered an assault rifle loaded with 18 rounds of ammunition, a pistol with seven rounds of ammunition, a set of Eastern Cape licence plates and a vanity bag containing a further seven rounds of rifle ammunition and two cellular telephones.

The four suspects, aged between 25 and 36, were arrested on charges relating to the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

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They are expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday 29 June.