KWAZULU-NATAL — A 71-year-old suspect arrested for unlicensed firearms is facing serious charges after authorities uncovered a sophisticated, makeshift weapon modification ring in Cato Manor. The targeted bust highlights ongoing efforts by local law enforcement to crack down on the illicit manufacturing and distribution of illegal guns within the province.
The operation was spearheaded by the eThekwini District Tracing Unit. Acting on precise intelligence, investigators zeroed in on an individual who was allegedly altering replica firearms to make them fully functional and lethal. According to police reports, the suspect was not only modifying the weapons but also actively selling the modified firearms and ammunition to foreign nationals in the area.
When officers executed the search, they discovered a full-scale illegal workshop. A spokesperson for the eThekwini District Tracing Unit confirmed the massive haul of weapons, parts, and industrial equipment seized at the property, noting that the sheer volume of components indicated a high-volume illegal manufacturing effort.
During the raid, the tracing unit recovered an extensive arsenal and the tools used to build it, including:
– 3 x 9mm pistols
– 7 x 9mm pistol frames
– 2 x homemade shotguns
– 11 x different-sized barrels
– 8 x 9mm pistol slides
– 11 x different magazines
– 41 x different rounds of ammunition
– 21 x empty cartridges
– 1 x welding machine
– 1 x drilling machine
– 1 x grinding machine
Following the discovery of the weapons cache and manufacturing tools, the 71-year-old was taken into custody at the scene.
Confirming the charges, the eThekwini District Tracing Unit spokesperson stated that the suspect has been officially charged with the possession of unlicensed firearms. The spokesperson emphasized that removing these heavy-duty tools—such as the welding, drilling, and grinding machines—effectively shuts down a dangerous pipeline of illegal weapons before they can be distributed further into the community or sold to foreign nationals.
The suspect remains in police custody and is awaiting a court appearance, while the tracing unit continues its intelligence-driven operations to root out illegal arms syndicates.