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Crime Line 'helping beat drugs scourge'

14 September 2012

Tip-offs to South Africa's Crime Line about suspected drug-dealing and possession led to 19 arrests and the seizure of thousands of rands worth of drugs in August.

"Eighty percent of Crime Line arrests are drug-related. This says something. We need to all unite further and fight this scourge that is eating away at our communities. Let's stop this," head of Crime Line, Yusuf Abramjee, said in a statement.

Crime Line was established in June 2007 and is fully endorsed by the South African police service and supported by numerous companies, non-governmental organisations and civil society.

South Africans can send anonymous crime tip-offs to 32211.

Hunting for SA's most dangerous criminals

To date, drug-related tip-offs to Crime Line have led to the arrest of 663 suspects and drugs worth almost R6-million being seized in 2012.

"We will be intensifying the hunt for SA’s most dangerous criminals in partnership with the police," Abramjee said.

"Past campaigns have shown that a collective and concerted effort by the public, media and police make it impossible for these suspects to hide for long."

Overall Crime Line has led to over 3 000 arrests and over R40-million in seizures since its launch in June 2007.

August drug breakthroughs

Major drug breakthroughs during August include the arrest of a suspected drug dealer in Hillbrow in Johannesburg, who police found in possession of cocaine and stolen mobile phones worth R50 000.

A Crime Line tip-off also led police to the arrest of a suspected drug dealer in Alberton, southeast of Johannesburg, who was found in possession of narcotic substances worth R14 000.

Significant breakthroughs were also made in the Western Cape province.

"We have had a number of significant breakthroughs during August, thanks to tip- offs that members of the public have passed on to Crime Line. We thank the police for taking the information and bringing these suspects to book," Abramjee said.

Meanwhile, representatives from Crime Line and Crime Stop will soon leave for Las Vegas in the United States, where they will represent Crime Stoppers South Africa at the annual Crime Stoppers International Conference from 1 to 4 October.

"The conference is a fantastic opportunity to engage with law enforcement experts from around the globe on the latest technology and high-impact programmes to ensure we provide the public with a safe tool to blow the whistle on crime," he said.

Source: SANews.gov.za