A routine stop-and-search by the Flying Squad on Saturday night turned into a significant bust, uncovering an arms cache and a substantial quantity of drugs in Goodwood. Officers, acting on their instincts, stopped a silver Ford double-cab bakkie under suspicious circumstances in Athlone. The search of the vehicle and its occupant yielded an unlicensed 9 mm firearm, drugs and a substantial amount of cash.
The 28-year-old driver was arrested and, under interrogation, provided information leading the police to an apartment in the Bergzicht complex in Goodwood. A subsequent search of the apartment revealed a cache of 19 firearms, including an AK47 assault rifle, a shotgun and various automatic and semi-automatic weapons. Additionally, an assortment of drugs valued at R3 million was found.
“We have reason to believe that the apartment, leased in the suspect’s name, was never used as a residence but rather as a storage facility for the firearms and the drugs,” states police spokesperson Colonel André Traut.
John Ross, chair of the Goodwood Community Policing Forum (CPF), praised the Flying Squad for its diligence and outstanding work. “It is frightening to uncover so many weapons and drugs in a complex like this where families reside,” he said. Until then, Ross emphasised, the complex had never been identified as a potential site of criminal activity. “However, investigations are at an early stage and the police have not given CPF any information or updates,” he said.
The suspect is scheduled for his first court appearance on Monday 8 July in Athlone.
As the investigation continues the police are not ruling the possibility of further arrests out. The Western Cape Flying Squad’s actions are a significant step towards combating gangsterism in the province.
