A joint Lesotho Mounted Police Services (LMPS) and the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) operation to rid the country of illegal weapons, which started in July, has so far recovered 42 firearms in the different areas of the Maseru city. 

LMPS Assistant Commissioner of Operations, Mr. Bofihla Makhalane, said the operation will cover the whole country and that initially 40 people have been arrested. Some of the people found in possession of the illegal firearms have already been charged and sentenced while others are still in police custody.

The operation's target is to not only to recover all illicit firearms and drugs, but also to arrest armed robbers and, prevent stock and car theft in the country.

07 September 2005