Cape Town - Close to 500 suspects were arrested and at least 15 diamonds confiscated over the last seven days during an Operation Fiela sweep in the Free State, police said on Friday.
“Continuous joint operations are being conducted and for the past week a total number of 481 people have been arrested,” the province’s police spokesperson Colonel Motantsi Makhele said.
“Operation Fiela, a countrywide operation aimed at maintaining safety and stability within our communities, continues to ensure that criminals have no space to hide in the Free State.”
According to Makhele, the operation targeted criminals in possession of illegal weapons, running drug dens and prostitution rings, and people involved in other illegal activities.
The 481 suspects were arrested on a variety of charges, including robbery, property-related offences, drug related crimes, contravention of liquor laws, and for not being in possession of valid identity documents.
Items confiscated during the week-long included 15 diamonds, over 1000 counterfeit cigarettes, 52 dangerous weapons, and dagga (marijuana) to the value of R20 000.
ANA