CRIME SCENE: Bothasig, Cape Town: “You are going to need a lot of forensic bags.”

These were the words of a suspect while he accompanied police to a flat they were about to search.

On Sunday, 19 July 2026 at about 21:20, Crime Intelligence members in the Western Cape arrested the 29-year-old suspect at the premises in Sylvia Street, De Zicht, Richwood in Bothasig for the illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and drugs worth R10million, said the South African Police Service (SAPS).

“The members received information that an apartment was used as a storage facility by a local gang. They conducted observation at the flat and saw the suspect driving a white Mercedes Benz.

“When he was about to leave the complex the members boxed in the vehicle and instructed the suspect to exit the vehicle. The members saw the suspect had a black shopping bag on his lap and upon exciting the vehicle he held the bag overhead.

“He was searched and an unlicensed 9mm Tauris was found in his possession. The suspect was also found in possession of a key to the flat.

“On the way to the apartment the suspect informed the police they would need a lot of forensic bags. The apartment was searched and the members found black bags containing plastic wrappers.

“On the dining room floor several bricks of cocaine were lying wrapped in plastic. Various drugs in suitcases were found in the cupboards. In the bathroom a box was found on top of the washing machine with two 9mm pistols and ecstasy tablets. Four more firearms were found in the bedroom with 16 magazines containing ammunition. More drugs were found in the cupboards of the kitchen.

“A total of seven 9mm pistols,17 different types of magazines, 1030 rounds of ammunition and an assortment of drugs with an estimated street value of R10 million were found and confiscated,” said SAPS.