Gauteng police have seized suspected stolen copper worth more than R12.6 million in Johannesburg after tracking a cross-border smuggling operation involving hijacked trucks, fake Tanzanian registration plates, and fraudulent customs paperwork.
The breakthrough came during an intelligence-driven operation at City Deep on June 18 after authorities traced a shipment of copper allegedly stolen in Zambia and smuggled into South Africa. The operation followed information shared by Zambian authorities after three trucks transporting copper blocks were reportedly hijacked.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Mukhathi said a multidisciplinary team comprising Gauteng Crime Intelligence, Interpol, Border Police City Deep, and private security partners launched an operation that ultimately led investigators to the copper cache.
"The operation followed intelligence received from the Zambian authorities regarding the hijacking of three trucks transporting copper blocks."
Investigators said the syndicate relied on an elaborate network stretching across borders to move the stolen cargo and disguise its origin.
