POLICE came under fire last night during an operation in KwaDukuza.
In combined operations by the Hawks, KwaDukuza detectives, Kranskop SAPS members and the ORS Durban Harbour Tactical Response Team, 22 suspects were arrested and 16 weapons seized.
In the first raid in the Kranskop area, a suspect was arrested and found in possession of an unlicensed 9mm pistol.
He was wanted in an attempted murder case, which was reported this month at Kranskop area.
Through further investigation the team went to a house in the Stanger Minor area in KwaDukuza.
As they approached the premises, the gang started to shoot at the police. After calling for back-up, officers raided the house and arrested 21 people.
Fifteen firearms including AK47 rifles, LM4 semi-automatic rifles and pistols as well as a large amount of assorted ammunition was found.
A police bullet-proof vest and army jacket were also found in the house.
All the suspects were arrested on charges of attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
They are due to appear in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court.
It is believed that the suspects may be linked to the on-going taxi related violence in the Stanger and Maphumulo areas and all the recovered firearms will be sent for ballistic testing.
