A joint police team discovered an illegal airstrip on Sunday, October 4, in the Goliath area in Para. In the vicinity, a burnt-out twin-engine aircraft, buried aircraft engines and dozens of fuel barrels and jerry cans were found.
The team consisted of members of the Narcotics Brigade, the Intelligence Service and the Arrest Team. Police traced the location following an investigation into information from the Intelligence Service.
At the scene, it emerged that an abandoned section of road was being used as an airstrip. According to police, fresh tyre tracks indicated that an aircraft had operated on the strip very recently.
Along the entire length of the airstrip, officers found dozens of barrels and jerry cans. Some were filled with a liquid believed to be aircraft fuel. The remaining barrels were empty.
The burnt-out twin-engine aircraft was located not far from the strip. Its engines had been buried at the scene. Police suspect this was done to conceal evidence.
Following consultation with the Openbaar Ministerie (Public Prosecution Service), the barrels containing suspected aircraft fuel were destroyed at the scene. The OM also ordered that the illegal airstrip be made unusable.
The Narcotics Brigade is continuing its investigation into the case.
