GQEBERHA – A multidisciplinary police and military team conducted an intelligence-driven operation in Helenvale on Wednesday, 9 September, targeting suspected criminal activity in the area.

The operation involved members of the Anti-Gang Unit, AGU Detectives, SANDF/South African Air Force, Gelvandale SAPS, Gelvandale Tracing Team, Gelvandale Crime Prevention Unit and the SAPS K9 Unit.

According to SAPS spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg, the operation commenced at approximately 06:30 and forms part of ongoing efforts to disrupt, disarm and dismantle gangs that are operating within identified gang hotspots.

She stated that the operation specifically focused on Helenvale following recent crimes reported in the area.

“During the operation, members conducted searches at four premises, three vehicles and 23 persons,” she said. “Members also executed J51 warrants and conducted tracing operations for wanted suspects linked to recent murders in the area.”

Janse van Rensburg added that during a search they conducted at premises in Ibex Street, Helenvale, police recovered two firearms, namely a silver-coloured pistol and a shotgun, together with various quantities of ammunition

“Police also recovered 68 medium-sized ziplock packets containing dagga, four additional ziplock packets containing dagga and a black plastic packet containing loose dagga, with a combined weight of approximately 683 grams,” she said. “A total of 200 Star Mandrax tablets and 74 Boss Mandrax tablets were also recovered.”

Another firearm, a .303 rifle, was reportedly recovered at Old Stanford Road in Helenvale.

“Other items, including a bulletproof vest and an army uniform jacket, were also found at the premises,” she said. “The ownership of the recovered items could not be established.”

A total of three firearms were therefore recovered during the operation. Janse van Rensburg stated that no arrests have been made in connection with the firearms and drugs recovered during the searches at this stage.

“Enquiries have been opened to establish the ownership and origin of the firearms, ammunition and drugs, as well as to identify and apprehend those responsible,” she said. “One wanted suspect linked to a murder case in the Gelvandale policing precinct was traced and arrested during the operation.”

Janse van Rensburg added that the recovered firearms will be subjected to ballistic analysis to establish whether they may have been used in other criminal activities.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Acting District Commissioner, Brigadier Loyiso Ngalo, commended the multidisciplinary team for the successful operation and reiterated that police will continue to conduct intelligence-driven operations aimed at removing illegal firearms and drugs from communities.

“The recovery of three firearms and significant quantities of drugs is a positive outcome and demonstrates the commitment of our members to disrupt criminal activities in identified gang hotspots,” he said. “We will continue to intensify operations and pursue those who use illegal firearms and drugs to threaten the safety of our communities.”

Brigadier Ngalo further urged community members to continue providing police with information that could assist in identifying wanted suspects, illegal firearms and drug outlets.

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