Cops hold 1 082 in Pta swoop
2005-06-20 19:04
Pretoria - Over 1 000 suspects were arrested in crime crackdown operations in Pretoria over the last week, police said on Monday.
Sergeant Johan Sharples said 1 082 arrests were made in the Pretoria area during the past week, of which 550 were for serious offences, including 15 for murder and attempted murder and 16 for rape.
The operations were a collaborative effort by police, the defence force, Tshwane metro police and other law enforcement agencies.
"They also arrested 532 suspects for less-serious offences, confiscated a large quantity of drugs, 31 illegal firearms and 1 389 rounds of ammunition, as well as stolen goods and vehicles," said Sharples.
Among the arrests made, 27 were for robbery, 84 for theft, 61 for assault with intent to cause bodily harm, 17 for burglary and 58 for drug-related offences.
A further 21 were made for possession of stolen property, nine for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and eight arrests for possession of car- and house-breaking equipment.
Police said 234 illegal immigrants were arrested.
"Drugs confiscated during the operations includes more than 32kg of dagga and 343 dagga plants worth R30 000, two Mandrax tablets, 674 ecstasy tablets, seven sachets of cocaine powder, 117 'rocks' and 21 sachets of heroin," said Sharples.
- SAPA