KWAZULU-NATAL — A 71-year-old suspect is facing serious charges after a major Cato Manor illegal firearms bust uncovered a clandestine workshop dedicated to modifying replica weapons. Acting on targeted intelligence, local authorities dismantled the operation where modified guns and ammunition were allegedly being sold to foreign nationals.
The eThekwini District Tracing Unit spearheaded the raid following tips about the illicit manufacturing scheme. A spokesperson for the tracing unit confirmed that investigators zeroed in on the suspect after receiving detailed reports regarding the conversion of non-lethal replicas into functional, dangerous firearms.
During the search of the premises, officers discovered an extensive cache of weapon parts and industrial tools used for the modifications. The spokesperson detailed the significant seizure from the property, which included:
– 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 makeshift armory and manufacturing equipment, the 71-year-old was taken into custody. The unit’s spokesperson stated that the suspect has been formally charged with the possession of unlicensed firearms.
Authorities emphasized that disrupting this underground supply chain is a critical step in preventing modified, unlicensed weapons from reaching the streets and falling into the hands of foreign nationals and criminal elements. The suspect remains in custody as the investigation into the distribution network continues.
