Police close taverns, seize alcohol, weapons and drugs
A joint one-day blitz on illegal shebeens in the informal settlements by the SAPS and EMPD has resulted in numerous arrests.
Seven people from the Angelo informal settlement have been arrested for crimes ranging from sales of alcohol without liquor licences to possession of drugs and dangerous weapons.
During the operation, the Boksburg SAPS, Gauteng Flying Squad, POPS, the Police Dog Unit and EMPD officers also seized various items, including dangerous weapons, drugs and alcohol.
Police also visited Comet village and Angelo informal settlement.
According to Lieut-Col Else Mashinini, from the Boksburg SAPS, who led the operation to curb illegal sales of alcohol by taverns and spaza shops without liquor licences, three illegal taverns in the vicinity of Angelo were shut down during the operation on Friday, August 22.
“The owners were arrested and the liquor confiscated,” says Mashinini.
Shebeen operators paid admission of guilt fines, and the alcohol confiscated will be discarded and the bottles disposed of.
The other suspects were expected to appear in court this week.
Based on the results, Mashinini maintains the illegal shebeen blitz will continue and people found to be selling alcohol without valid licences can face on-the-spot fines of up to R1 500 or prosecution.
– @FanieBoksburg
