/ 2 August 2006

Joint SA-Lesotho crime operation sees 264 arrests

A joint South African-Lesotho police operation resulted in 264 people being arrested, Free State police said on Wednesday.

”The aim of the bilateral operation was to combat the flow of illicit firearms, ammunition, drugs and vehicles between the borders,” Superintendent Sam Sesing said.

Police in the Free State, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Lesotho Royal Mounted Police took part in the operation, held from July 18 to 23.

Sesing said more than 47 tons of dagga, 11 firearms, 60 stolen cattle, 696 sheep and 61 goats were confiscated in the operation.

”We also found 43 stolen vehicles of which 34 were traced in Lesotho.”

The stolen goods were found in stop-and-search operations, roadblocks and vehicle patrols.

Sesing said several businesses and farms were also visited during the period.

One person was arrested under the Copyright Act, and DVDs valued at R70 000 were seized, while 84 illegal immigrants were also arrested. — Sapa