THE confiscation of crystal meth worth R50-million and smashing a major hijacking syndicate are just two of the recent successes of the SA Police Service’s (SAPS) Operation Shanela.

In the past week 13 633 suspects were arrested through this multidisciplinary operation.

“With high visibility patrols, stop and searches and the tracing of wanted suspects, we are hard at work in stamping the authority of the state,” SAPS said in a statement.

During a massive drug bust R50-million worth of crystal meth, more commonly known as Tik, were confiscated in Aliwal North in the Eastern Cape.

Another major success was the interception of a truck and car hijacking syndicate in which four suspects were arrested. In this case, numerous truck trailers, vehicle parts, heavy-duty machinery, forklifts, and copper plates all valued at R10 million were discovered at a farm in Ventersdorp in the North West.

In other arrests across the country a total of 137 suspects were arrested for murder, with the majority of these in KwaZulu-Natal (32).

Additionally, 259 suspects were arrested for rape, 95 of the arrests were made in KwaZulu-Natal and 220 drug dealers were arrested in the past week with the majority of these in the Western Cape (57).

The police also recovered 131 firearms and 1510 rounds of ammunition.

Additionally, a joint operation conducted by Gauteng Counterfeit Unit, Vispol, Commercial Crime unit, Brand Protectors, and border police resulted in the seizure of counterfeit and illicit goods including clothing, consumables, toys and cellphone accessories worth over R35 million. – Source: SAnews.gov.za