HUMANSDORP – A 39-year-old man has been arrested after police and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) seized an unlicensed firearm, ammunition and drugs during a joint operation in Vergenoeg, Kwanomzamo, on 29 August.

According to police spokesperson Captain Marius McCarthy, members attached to the SAPS Sarah Baartman District Operation Centre were conducting high-visibility patrols in the Vergenoeg area of Humansdorp.

He said during the patrols, the team received positive information regarding a house in Vergenoeg, Kwanomzamo, where an illegal firearm and drugs were allegedly being kept.

“According to the intelligence gathered, a known suspect was in possession of the contraband. Operational members, accompanied by the SANDF, immediately proceeded to the identified address,” said McCarthy.

He said, acting in terms of Section 22 of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA), officers entered the premises, and the suspect granted full consent for a search of his room.

McCarthy said during the search, the multidisciplinary team discovered and confiscated one pistol loaded with one live round of ammunition.

He said officers also found 21 bags of methamphetamine (Tik), as well as Mandrax tablets.

“The seized narcotics have an estimated street value of R1,550,” said McCarthy.

He said the suspect was arrested on the spot and faces formal charges of illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, and possession of Mandrax and Tik.

The Sarah Baartman District Commissioner, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, highly commended the joint operational team for its swift execution and rapid response.

“The successful interception by our District Operation Centre, reinforced by the SANDF, highlighted the impact of integrated, high-visibility deployments. By removing an unlicensed firearm and dismantling a local drug distribution point, these members have directly prevented violent crimes in Kwanomzamo,” said Kupiso.

“This joint operation sends a clear message that we will continue to squeeze the space for criminals and aggressively clean up our neighbourhoods.”

McCarthy said the suspect remains in custody and is expected to appear in the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court soon.

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