By Everson Luhanga
- A KZN man, 26, was arrested in Phoenix for possessing firearms, police ammunition, a drug-making machine, and various drugs.
- Police are investigating links to drug turf wars, stolen police weapons and possible officer collusion, with the suspect due in court soon.
A KwaZulu-Natal man has been arrested for possession of police firearms, ammunition, and a drug manufacturing machine. The 26-year-old suspect was arrested in Westham, Phoenix, KZN.
KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the suspect was found in possession of eight firearms, five stun grenades and several rounds of ammunition of various calibres, including armour-piercing ammunition. He was also in possession of a drug manufacturing machine and different types of drugs.
Netshiunda said officers from the Provincial Organised Crime and Provincial Drugs and Firearms Unit received information about a man suspected of having firearms in each of his vehicles. “An operation was planned, and upon execution, the suspect was arrested as he attempted to flee from his residence.
“He was found in possession of a firearm and drugs. A subsequent search led to the recovery of two shotguns inside his apartment. The other five firearms were found inside each of his five vehicles.”
“Efforts were still underway to break open his luxurious, fully armoured SUV vehicle for a further search,” he said.
Netshiunda said one of the recovered pistols belongs to the police service. “There were also police-issued rounds of ammunition for an R5 rifle, shotgun ammunition, and it is suspected that the recovered stun grenades belong to the police service,” he said.
He said investigations have begun to uncover whether the suspect was in collusion with police officers or if the firearm, ammunition, and other recovered items were stolen from brutally killed police officers.
Netshiunda added that the suspect is believed to be involved in the drug turf war drive-by shootings and other drug-related criminal activities. Once processed, the suspect will appear in court.
Pictured above: A crime scene where a 26-year-old man was arrested for manufacturing drugs and possession of several firearms
Source: KZN SAPS