S. Africa Crime Sweep Nets 4,593
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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Police arrested 4,593 people Thursday in an overnight anti-crime sweep.
Police said more than 60,000 officers--or 80% of the nation’s police forces--took part in the eight-hour Operation Blitz.
“One objective of Operation Blitz is to make the public more crime-conscious,” said Police Commissioner Johan van der Merwe. “More operations of this kind can be expected in the future.”
Police, assisted by the military, searched almost 8,000 homes and 30,000 vehicles.
They said they arrested 45 people on suspicion of murder, more than 600 on drug charges, 207 illegal aliens, 136 drunken drivers and 719 trespassers.
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