On Wednesday, December 1 a storage facility in Muldersdrift was raided by the Gauteng Organised Crime Investigation members who seized goods worth more than R50 million and a truck.
Organised Crime Investigation received information on Friday, November 26 about a storage facility that was used by a syndicate that hijacks cargo trucks and rob warehouses.
The storage facility was placed under surveillance before members from West Rand K9, Counter Narcotics Intelligence, Intelligence Collection and Domestic Drug Smuggling moved in for the raid.
Police seized boxes of cigarettes, electronic household appliances, various other electronic equipment and clothing brands.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the recovered goods were destined to be distributed and sold on the black market in Johannesburg.
The 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 Parys in the Free State 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.
Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela 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 Lieutenant General Mawela.
One suspect was arrested for possession of stolen property, and further investigation will determine the origins. The suspect will appear in the Krugersdorp Magistrates’ Court soon.
