| New K9s on the block | New K9s on the block | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/K9%20Rookies%20final_Moment.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <p>As part of its efforts to curb the narcotics trade, the Metro Police Department continues to invest in its K9 unit. In recent weeks, four new furry recruits have started their basic training. Read more below:<br></p> | <p>The Metro Police K9 unit is in its 15<sup>th</sup> year of operations, having been established in 2009, in the lead up to the FIFA World Cup. </p><p>The unit has dogs trained in detecting narcotics, explosives, and trailing dogs used in the search for missing persons.</p><p>Currently, there are a dozen working K9s and four new recruits joined the ranks recently to start their basic training and acquire work permits, as well as bonding with their handlers. </p><h4>The new dogs will focus on explosives and narcotics. They are:</h4><ul><li>Tina, a two-year-old German Shepherd</li><li>Gizmo, a 14-month-old Belgian Malinois</li><li>Djenko, a 14-month-old Belgian Malinois</li><li>Magnum, a 16-month-old Malinois/German Shepherd cross</li></ul><p>'It really is something to watch our K9s in action. They have added so much value to our fight against crime, and the drug trade in particular, over the past 15 years, and I look forward to seeing how the new recruits acquit themselves. They have big paws to fill, when you consider the likes of Savage, Troy and Xena, who were just a few of the legendary K9s in our kennels over the years. But apart from their crime-fighting abilities, these dogs are among the best brand ambassadors that one can find, and building relationships between the enforcement services, and communities,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.</p><h4>NARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT</h4><p>The K9s feed into the overall efforts by the Metro Police and Law Enforcement Departments to curb the narcotics trade.<br> <br>In the financial year to date (July 2023 until end March 2024), both departments have seen a marked increase in the amount of drugs confiscated.<br></p><table cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default"><tbody><tr><th class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.3333%;"></th><th class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.3333%;">2022/23</th><th class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.3333%;">2023/24</th></tr><tr><th class="ms-rteTable-default">ARRESTS</th><td class="ms-rteTable-default">7 494<br></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">9 328<br></td></tr><tr><th class="ms-rteTable-default">UNITS OF DRUGS CONFISCATED<br></th><td class="ms-rteTable-default">48 178<br></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">69 852,94<br></td></tr></tbody></table>
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<p>Mandrax, tik, dagga and heroin are the most commonly confiscated narcotics.</p><p>'These successes are largely thanks to routine visible patrols, tips from the public and of course our intrepid K9s who help expose the very creative hiding places of drug dealers. But, while the numbers are impressive, the City's role in cutting down to size the drug trade remains limited. All arrests and confiscations are handed over to SAPS for investigation and prosecution. The City doesn't have the powers to go after the big fish, and dismantle drug routes. We are hopeful that SAPS will be properly resourced to deal with this scourge, and will continue to support them in any way possible,' added Alderman Smith.</p><p>Residents are reminded that the City has a dedicated tip-off line where information can be relayed 24-hours a day. Call
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<a>0800 110077</a></em>. If the information leads to a successful arrest, or the recovery of stolen property or contraband, the person can receive a reward. They can also remain anonymous.
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</p> | 2024-06-22T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#3bd13869-3207-4532-9db7-a4ca95867a50;L0|#03bd13869-3207-4532-9db7-a4ca95867a50|JP Smith;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GPP|#3f57ea8a-3adb-4a8f-bb3a-0a20a62c7fe9;GP0|#78273557-84e5-4b4e-8960-1153e6941255;L0|#078273557-84e5-4b4e-8960-1153e6941255|Metro police;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#4bcb251f-1166-4a1c-8ee5-d33721046dec;L0|#04bcb251f-1166-4a1c-8ee5-d33721046dec|law enforcement;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |
