[WATCH] Massive arms cache and dagga lab uncovered in Centurion
A 50-year-old homeowner has been arrested for dealing in
dagga and possessing a massive amount of unlicensed firearms in the leafy
suburb of Wierdabrug, in the south of Tshwane.
This comes after police discovered the arms and ammunition, as well as the dagga laboratory on the premises on Tuesday.
Acting Police Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, says the owner of the house claims to be a dealer and collector of firearms.
However, Motsoaledi says police have found that some of the firearms meant to be for collectors' purposes, were not de-activated.
The South African Police Services (SAPS) will now consider revoking all the suspect's firearm licenses.
"In the meantime, the suspect's dealer licence has been placed on suspension pending the outcome of the case. The house and its contents have been placed in police custody," says Motsoaledi.
Motsoaledi was briefing the media outside the premises on Wednesday morning.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
He is being charged in terms of the Firearm Control Act and the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act.
Motsoaledi says firearms will be sent for ballistic tests to establish if they were used in the commission of other crimes, while every other items will be individually analysed.
Watch Motsoaledi below:
#WierdabrugRaid | Acting Police Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, inspecting the one of the fire arms discovered on the scene. pic.twitter.com/39DfoeQuXl
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) November 20, 2019