The local crime fighting canines, the province’s K9 team, had a busy time the past month with various successes.
Between 21 February to 5 March the units arrested 28 suspects, with eight arrests in the Swartland area and various illicit items also confiscated.
The Swartland K9 Unit conducted seven vehicle checkpoints, with 22 vehicles and 18 premises searched.
“Criminals are terrorising our communities,” said Reagen Allen, Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety.
“Therefore I’m encouraged to note how menacing our K9 units are to these unscrupulous characters. As part of our cross-municipal safekeeping efforts I recently joined both units during operations in Swellendam and Saldanha Bay, where they demonstrated how effective they are in assisting other law enforcement agencies.
“These successes are a reminder to those who are either actively engaged in criminal activities or considering embarking on a life of crime that we have friends with an excellent sense of smell and a set of sharp teeth that will locate you and assist in placing you behind bars.”
The roadblock in Saldanha, held on Thursday 23 February, led to six vehicles being impounded, 16 section 56 fines and seven fines for public transport offences were issued.
The K9 Unit’s main objective is to serve as a crime fighting force multiplier to the police and other role-players. The unit does this through the detection and searching for contraband, particularly illegal drugs, firearms and ammunition.
The unit also provides assistance to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs to curb the illegal trade of abalone, crayfish and other marine products. “Safety across the entire Western Cape remains our priority, and therefore we will continue strengthening these units so that they can achieve more success to ultimately ensure safer communities,” says Allen.
