Man arrested with unwrought gold valued at R50 million
A 31-year-old man was arrested for the possession of unwrought gold worth R50 million, the Hawks in North West said on Tuesday.
Provincial Hawks spokesperson, Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso, said the man was arrested in Springs on Monday.
"The unwrought gold was concealed in the engine compartment. The suspect was arrested on Monday evening in Springs, after Hawks members received information of a vehicle which was being used to smuggle gold from the North West to Gauteng," Rikhotso said in a statement.
"The suspect was driving alone in a Silver Audi A6 when the Hawks swooped. Upon searching the vehicle, unwrought gold was found stashed in the Audi's engine compartment. The Gold was seized and the suspect was arrested to appear at the Springs Magistrate's Court on Thursday."
The National Head of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Mthandazo Ntlemeza, applauded the investigation team and further said: "The arrest is closely linked to on-going syndicate investigations by the Hawks. A few weeks ago we shut down a drug lab in Johannesburg, last week alone we cracked more than three syndicates around the country. The Hawks are on a permanent prowl and we will not stop until every criminal is behind bars." - ANA