Last week’s multi-disciplinary Operation Phakisa initiative on the Northern Cape coastline in the area of Port Nolloth, Kleinzee, Groenrivier, Alexander Bay, and Hondeklipbaai resulted in several successes against crime.
Illegal activities in relation to marine-related crimes were one of the focus areas and executed by, amongst others, the monitoring and ensuring of the strict compliance of the prescribed ranching, fishing and harvesting regulations of marine resources.
Drugs and undocumented immigrants were also in the spotlight.
Numerous operational successes were achieved during compliance inspections, vehicle check points, stop and searches, foot patrols, vehicle patrols, and raids at identified houses for illegal drugs and other commodity smuggling.
Jude, a four-legged member of the police’s K9 unit, directed team-members to dagga valued at R813 000, hidden in a car in the Sizamile location in Port Nolloth. The dagga was seized and the suspect arrested and charged for possession and dealing in drugs.
More drugs, that included cocaine, Mandrax and tik valued at approximately R21 750 as well as cash believed to be the proceeds of crime, were confiscated and two more suspects were subsequently arrested.
Sgt Timothy Sam, police spokesperson, said 35 undocumented immigrants were detained and their information processed by officials of the Department of Home Affairs’ immigration services.
Sam said the public is reminded that the contravention of the Marine Living Resources Act, which involve unlawful possession, ranching, harvesting, control and or keeping large quantities of marine resources for commercial purposes, and the processing thereof in informal, illegal fish processing establishments, is an offence punishable by law.
