While being part of the weekly Operation Okae Molao in the West Rand District, the Gauteng Traffic Police arrested three people allegedly involved in money laundering.
The operation held yesterday, Thursday, 28 January, was conducted under the command of the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela.
Sello Maremane, the Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson explained how the three people were arrested in two separate incidents. They were found with large sums of money which they could not account for.
The arrests, which are directly linked to money-laundering incidents, were made this morning during a random stop-and-search operation conducted on the R41 road by members of the Gauteng Traffic Police and various law-enforcement agencies,” Maremane said.
In the first incident a 46-year-old man, who was a passenger in a white Nyathi taxi, was found to be carrying R34 430 in cash.
“The suspect could not give a clear explanation as to why he was carrying the cash.”
The second incident involved two men. The 48- and 54-year-old were passengers in a Toyota Yaris which was being used as an Uber. The men had R112 000 in cash in their possession, which they also could not account for.
The total amount of confiscated money was R146 430, and the three suspects were arrested for money laundering and taken to the Kagiso Police Station.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Kagiso Magistrates’ Court in due course to face charges relating to money laundering amongst others.
The Gauteng Traffic Police are delighted that the suspects allegedly involved in money laundering were swiftly intercepted and stopped in their tracks. These arrests will send a strong warning that Gauteng has a zero-tolerance approach to criminal elements, such as money launderers,” said Maremane.
He added that money laundering poses a risk for the growth of the economy and has far-reaching implications since the money is not subject to tax regulations.
“Anyone found in possession of money that cannot be accounted for will be arrested immediately without fear or favour,” said Maremane.
