Gauteng Organised Crime Investigations recovers stolen goods worth over R50 million – SAPS Crime Report: 2021-12-02 10:29:03

South African Police Service

Office of the Provincial Commissioner Gauteng

PARKTOWN – On Wednesday, 01 December 2021, Gauteng Organised Crime Investigation led a team of members to raid a storage facility in Muldersdrift where goods worth over 50 million rands and a truck were seized. A suspect was arrested for possession of stolen property.

On 26 November 2021, Organised Crime Investigation received intelligence on a storage facility that was used by a syndicate that hijacks cargo trucks and rob warehouses. The storage facility was placed under surveillance by Crime Intelligence.

The team that raised the storage facility comprised of members from West Rand K9, Counter Narcotics Intelligence, Intelligence Collection and Domestic Drug Smuggling.

During the raid, the police seized boxes of cigarettes, electronic household appliances, various other electronic equipment and clothing brands. Preliminary investigations suggest that these recovered goods were destined to be distributed and sold on the black market in Johannesburg.

The seized goods have been positively linked to the following cases: a truck hijacking during September 2021 in Heidelberg (the truck’s load included gym equipment and electronic goods); robbery of a warehouse in Boksburg last month where cigarettes worth about R36 million were stolen; robbery of a warehouse in the Free State, Parys in August 2021 where television sets were stolen as well as a robbery of a warehouse in Alberton last month where various electronic household goods were taken. Further investigation will determine the origins of the other goods.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has commended the team responsible for the discovery of the storage facility and subsequent raid. “This has definitely disrupted the dealings of an organised crime syndicate. We have stamped the authority of the State and squeezed the space for criminals to operate. This is our mission during this Festive Season, to ensure that the space of criminal activity is minimised,” said Lt Gen Mawela.

The suspect will be appearing in the Krugersdorp Magistrates’ Court soon.

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