Four busted towing stolen bakkie vol drugs

A SUSPICIOUS late-night towing operation on the N2 ended with four skelms behind bars after City law enforcement officers uncovered a stolen vehicle, fake number plates and dwelms during a dramatic stop.

According to Safety and Security Mayoral Committee member JP Smith, Auxiliary Law Enforcement officers, together with the Highway Patrol Unit, noticed a Nissan Champ bakkie being towed by a Hyundai Accent by two mense on Sunday evening.

Smith said that cops became suspicious when they saw that the towed vehicle had both a driver and a passenger inside which is a no-go under the national legislation and that the driver’s window had been smashed.

A tactical stop was carried out and all four occupants were apprehended on the scene.

Smith said: “Along with our Highway Patrol Unit, a hard tactical stop was implemented, and all 4 suspects were apprehended on scene. The Hyundai Accent had false number plates and fraudulent license disks - belonging to a VW Jetta.”

Further investigation revealed that the skelms were in the possession of mandrax.

It was later confirmed that the Nissan Champ bakkie had been reported stolen from Sea Point just an hour earlier. Officers also found that the ignition had already been tampered with.

Smith added: “All four occupants, each with prior criminal records related to motor vehicle theft, were placed under arrest and handed over to Athlone SAPS for further investigation and prosecution.”

He further praised cops for their vigilance, saying law enforcement will continue to act without fear or favour.

He said: “We all have a duty to uphold the law. It doesn’t matter how ‘serious’ the offence is — our members will enforce the law regardless.”