The EMPD Community Liaison Unit in conjunction with the SAPS Ekurhuleni East Cluster Crime Prevention Unit and Crime Intelligence Gauteng members received a tip off about persons who would be involved in a transaction involving gold nuggets in the parking lot at Mall@Carnival.
Armed with the description of the persons involved and the vehicles they would be using, the officers were able to apprehend four suspects and seize gold nuggets with an estimated value of R300 000.
The men were nabbed yesterday (Thursday).
“While closely monitoring the mall parking area, law enforcers sighted two men fitting the description provided, showing something from a bag to two men assumed to be buyers of the goods,” said chief supt Wilfred Kgasago, EMPD spokesperson.
“The officers approached the parties and gold nuggets were found in their possession.
“Both the alleged sellers and potential buyers were immediately arrested.
“In the boot of the sellers’ car unprocessed gold-soil was uncovered.”
The two suspects in possession of the gold nuggets – a Ugandan national and a Zimbabwean national – aged 47 and 39 respectively, as well as the two locals, aged 34 and 45, were detained at the Brakpan Police Station on a charge of illegal possession of precious metals.
They are expected to appear in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court soon.
Also read: Something smells fishy: Police seize suspected stolen tins of pilchards and net one suspect
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