Teen arrested after firearm reportedly stolen in 2016 is found in Gqeberha - IOL

A 16-year-old was arrested in New Brighton after police recovered a .38 revolver and six rounds of ammunition during an intelligence-driven operation.

A 16-year-old has been arrested after police recovered a revolver and six rounds of ammunition during an intelligence-driven operation in New Brighton, Gqeberha, on Thursday night.

The firearm, a .38 Special revolver, was reportedly stolen in George in 2016, raising questions about its whereabouts over the past decade.

Eastern Cape police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said members of the Motherwell Cluster Trio Task Team acted on information about a firearm at approximately 10pm on Thursday.

"The operation led them to a house in Sangotsha Street, where they recovered a .38 Special revolver and six rounds of ammunition," Janse van Rensburg said.

Police recovered a .38 Special revolver and six rounds of ammunition during an operation in New Brighton, Gqeberha.

Following the discovery, police arrested the 16-year-old on allegations of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Janse van Rensburg confirmed that the teenager was detained at Nerina House and is expected to appear in the Nerina Magistrate's Court soon.

The circumstances surrounding how the teenager came into possession of the firearm remain under investigation.

Police are also working to establish whether the recovered revolver may have been used in criminal activities since it was reported stolen a decade ago.