Luxury cars seized as Transnet fuel theft 'kingpin' appears in court
A search operation at the smallholding belonging to the suspected Transnet fuel theft kingpin has seizure of five luxury vehicles on Thursday.
The Hawks on Wednesday arrested the 35-year-old for his alleged involvement in a fuel theft syndicate and damage to essential infrastructure.
The suspect was arrested in Pretoria during a multidisciplinary operation led by the Free State Hawks together with Bidvest Protea Coin Security, Gauteng Traffic Department Saturation Unit.
"A second tanker which was allegedly seen in his premises over the weekend when his alleged accomplices were arrested has now been linked to a new incident of damage to Transnet pipeline in Silverton, Pretoria on Thursday morning," says Hawks spokesperson Philani Nkwalase.
"The luxury vehicles seized include a black Jeep SRT 8 SUV, black Mercedes Benz Viano minibus, white Toyota Land Cruiser ldv, black Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV and a Silver Jeep V8 SUV. The value of these vehicles has not yet been established. Other items that were seized include five cell phones, documents, illegal firearm and ammunition and an undisclosed cash amount."
Nkwalse adds that the 35-year-old is facing a main charge of damage to essential infrastructure.
"The alleged kingpin will be facing the main charge of damage to essential infrastructure and theft of fuel when he appears in Vrede Magistrate's Court on Friday. The Priority Crime Specialised Investigation of the Hawks in Free State has now been activated to begin their probe into the assets belonging to the alleged kingpin, suspected to be the proceeds of crime."
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