PAARL, WESTERN CAPE - A planned cash-in-transit robbery in the Western Cape was disrupted on Friday when a joint operation involving several SAPS units led to the arrest of five suspects and the recovery of four firearms, including an AK-47.

According to police, Crime Intelligence had received information about individuals from different provinces who were in the Western Cape allegedly to carry out a cash-in-transit robbery this weekend. The suspects were identified in Kraaifontein and placed under surveillance from Wednesday.

On Friday, the group was seen travelling towards the Paarl CBD in a white Toyota Fortuner. Members of the Winelands Highway Patrol and the Maitland Flying Squad were alerted and stopped the vehicle in Paarl, where it was searched. During the search, police recovered a 9mm pistol without a serial number and 14 rounds of ammunition.

Police then followed up on information that more firearms were allegedly being kept at one of the suspects’ homes in Wallacedene, Kraaifontein, and proceeded to the address. At the property, officers recovered two 9mm pistols, each with 14 rounds of ammunition, an AK-47, 79 rounds of rifle ammunition, 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a cellphone, and R8 750 in cash.

The five suspects, all men between the ages of 30 and 39, are from Mqanduli, Klerksdorp, Rustenburg, Paarl and Wallacedene. They were arrested on charges relating to the possession of a prohibited firearm, as well as unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

They are expected to make their first appearance at the Paarl Magistrate’s Court tomorrow.