TWO suspects were arrested for alleged money laundering on Serena Road in Croydon on January 17 after police thought they were doing a drug deal.
R6 million in cash was found in a sealed and unmarked bag by Const Thulani Mbanjwa and Const Sibonelo Zawalhe of Sebenza SAPS who patrolled the area around 5.30pm.
They saw two men standing at a Hyundai bakkie. Upon searching the bakkie for drugs, the officers found the sealed bag.
“The men said they were instructed by their employer, who’s unknown, to pick up the package and deliver it to a diamond and gold business in Bedfordview. They claimed they could not let the officers open the bag without permission from the owner of the bag,” said Sebenza spokesperson, Sgt Sharon Tsotsotso.
After the suspects were arrested and the bag taken to a safe location at Sebenza Police Station, the owner of the bag’s attorney came to bail out the suspects and open the sealed bag, together with the police officers.
“When we saw all the cash, we confiscated it immediately because it’s against the law to transport that much money without an escort or any means of security present,” said Tsotsotso.
In the bag were rolls of R200 notes that amounted to R6 million.
Tsotsotso warned the community not to travel with big amounts of money, as it was not only dangerous but also against the law.
An inquiry docket for money laundering was opened and the case is still under investigation.
