POLICE officers in KwaZulu-Natal have intensified operations to clampdown on mushrooming illegal liquor outlets in the province.
“During these operations police also conducted inspections on licensed premises to check if they are complying with conditions imposed on their licenses. Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the contributors of serious crimes and leads to other social ills that occurs in communities,” said Col Thembeka Mbele from provincial SAPS.
As from Friday, 16 August until Sunday, 18 August, multidisciplinary operations were held across the province which resulted in 112 unlicensed liquor outlets being closed down while their owners were arrested for selling liquor without a license. A large quantity of alcohol was seized by police as evidence and destroyed. “Operations targeting the illegal sale of alcohol will be ongoing as many crimes occur in close proximity to these unregulated environments,” said Mbele.
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The opration netted a total of 633 suspects who were arrested for various crimes such as murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, rape, attempted murder, burglaries, robberies, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and possession of drugs.
Mbele said police seized large quantities of drugs, dangerous weapons, liquor, firearms and ammunition during these operations.
“Operations over the weekends are being stepped up as it is a period in which most of our serious crimes occur and police are focusing on increased roadblocks, stop and searches, suspect raids as well as other operations in high crime areas,” she said.
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