Operation Shanela: West Rand cops seize gold worth almost R130K
Unrefined gold with a trade value of over R127 600 was seized by West Rand cops during the latest Operation Shanela which led to close to 90 arrests.
Another Operation Shanela held in the West Rand District last week yielded a total of 89 arrests.
The operation was a collaboration between the Krugersdorp and Randfontein police led by acting West Rand District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Miranda Theron.
According to West Rand District Police spokesperson Captain Solomon Sibiya, the operation included a roadblock, stop and search, raiding of illegal taverns, tracing of wanted suspects, and vehicle checkpoints.
“During one intensified search, police recovered a blank gun, 66kg of Acetylene gas, a 9kg LP gas bottle as well as a cutting torch nozzle. A further search led to the recovery of cash, a gold melting pot, and a piece of unrefined gold with a trade value of R127 600.
“The suspect was then placed under arrest and charged with the unlawful possession of illegal mining equipment and unrefined gold under the Precious Metal Act.”
According to Sibiya, out of the 89 arrests, 33 were generated by the police’s Visible Policing while police detectives were responsible for the remaining 56 arrests.
Among those arrested included eight people for dealing in liquor without a license, in addition, 427 150ml of liquor was confiscated and two suspects were arrested for possession of gold-bearing material. Another was arrested for dealing in dagga, 20 for contravening the Immigration Act and one for contravening the Tobacco Act 83 of 1993.
Furthermore, one suspect was arrested for business robbery, two for armed robbery, two for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, five for housebreaking and theft, three for theft, six for assault, five for domestic violence, eight for suspected stolen property, and four for contravening protection orders.
All suspects are expected to appear in court this week.
Brigadier Theron thanked and applauded all law enforcement including their partners such as Gauteng Community Safety, Gauteng Traffic Police, the Crime Prevention Wardens as well as community patrollers.
