Murder, abalone, guns arrests

POLICE have arrested five suspects on charges of murder and attempted murder, after a 20-year-old man was shot dead in Sunflower Street and another man was injured on Saturday night in Lentegeur.

“Once charged the suspects, who are in their twenties, are due to make a court appearance in Mitchells Plain,” said police spokesperson Andre Traut.

Another two attempted murder cases are being investigated after two brothers in their twenties were shot and wounded in Marygold Street, Lentegeur yesterday morning. The suspects have yet to be arrested.

Last Friday, police searched a cold storage facility on Paarden Island where they found a shipment of dried and frozen abalone with an estimated value of R8 million.

Further investigation led to Table Bay Harbour where they found a 12m container with dried and frozen abalone packed in boxes and destined for export.

“The value of the shipment is estimated at R30 million,” said Traut.

Raids by Operation Combat yielded positive results in the fight against gangsterism on Thursday night, when drugs, ammunition and illegal firearms were seized. Traut said a 27-year-old suspect had been arrested in Bonteheuwel for being in possession of two packets of tik with an estimated street value of R20 000.

“In Elsies River, members acted on a tip-off and searched a house in Maria street where they found a prohibited firearm, ammunition, and drugs to the value of R6 600. A 42-year-old man was arrested.”