The multi-disciplinary Operation Phakisa commenced on Thursday, 20 July 2023 and ended on Sunday, 23 July 2023 in Port Nolloth, Kleinsee, Groenrivier, Alexander Bay and Hondeklipbaai.
The focus area addressed this quarter included illegal activities in relation to marine related crimes by monitoring and ensuring strict compliance of the prescribed ranching, fishing and harvesting regulations as well as addressing the proliferation of drugs and preventing the flow of undocumented Immigrants.
The Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing Major General Luntu Ngubelanga in outlining marching orders said, all officials involved in the operations must serve the public out there with honour, diligence and the necessary discipline.
The operations were executed under the overall Command of Colonel Herlan Coghlan, the Provincial Commander for Border Policing, supported by Colonel Kholakele Sontsi, the Provincial Commander for POP and TRT Units, Mr Thulani Mthombeni from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment as well as Mr Daylin Gravels the Control Immigration Officer (CIO) from the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Services, assisted by the operation’s Tactical Commander Captain James Peters who actively participated in the planned actions.
The actions and activities executed during the commencement of the operation included, compliance inspections, vehicle check point (VCP’s), stop and searches, foot patrols, vehicle patrols and raids at identified houses for illegal drugs and other commodity smuggling.
Nine (09) VCP’s were conducted on the Port Nolloth/ Alexanderbay road and the Port Nolloth/Kleinsee road during which 81 vehicles and 165 persons were stopped and searched.
Numerous operational successes were achieved including:
“Jude” the SAPS K-9 directed the police to dagga valued at R813 000 hidden in a car at Sizamile location in Port Nolloth, the dagga was seized and the suspect arrested and charged for dealing in dagga.
More drugs that included, cocaine, mandrax and and tik valued to approximately R21 750 as well as cash that is believed to be the proceeds of crime was confiscated and two more suspects were subsequently arrested.
35 undocumented Immigrants were detained and processed by the DHA Immigration services officials. All suspect will appear in the Port Nolloth Magistrate Court on Monday, 24 July 2023.
The Public is reminded that the contravention of the Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA), which involve unlawful possession, ranching, harvesting, control and or keeping large quantities of marine resources for commercial purposes and the processing thereof in informal, illegal fish processing establishments, including not cooperating with Law Enforcement Authorities amount to committing an offence that is punishable by law.
Source: South African Police Service