NELSON MANDELA BAY — A massive multi-agency law enforcement crackdown on Thursday resulted in the arrest of 26 suspects and the recovery of a substantial haul of contraband, weapons, and narcotics across the metro.

The joint initiative, dubbed “Operation Identity,” targeted various areas within Nelson Mandela Bay, including Humewood, Swartkops, KwaNobuhle, and New Brighton. Executed by the South African Police Service (SAPS) alongside multiple law enforcement stakeholders, the operation specifically focused on identifying undocumented individuals and addressing the local crimes linked to illegal migration and illicit trading.

According to authorities, 24 individuals were arrested for violating the Immigration Act. An additional two suspects were taken into custody on drug possession charges.

Alongside the arrests, police teams successfully removed a significant volume of dangerous and illegal products from circulation. Confiscated items included:

• A substantial quantity of illegal drugs and unauthorized medications.
• Numerous dangerous weapons.
• Large stockpiles of counterfeit cosmetic and illicit skin-lightening products.
• Bulk grocery items, including Infacare formula, Cerelac, and Schweppes beverages, all believed to be part of an underground illegal trading network.

SAPS management stated that local police remain committed to working closely with all community stakeholders and law enforcement partners to combat crime and aggressively dismantle counterfeit distribution syndicates.