Suspects appear in court for alleged money laundering

KOMATIPOORT – The three Mozambican nationals who were arrested for alleged money laundering appeared briefly in the Komatipoort Magistrate’s Court this afternoon.

Hawks spokesman, Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi,said the trio would remain in custody and will reappear in court on January 4, 2016 to apply for bail.

The men were arrested on December 25 during a joint operation led by the SAPS and SARS at the Lebombo Border Post. They were trying to smuggle an estimated R82 million into the country.

The money  – in various currencies – were found hidden in a specially built compartment in the back of a silver Toyota Hilux double cab.

According to the police, the money confiscated was 4,9 million US dollars, 2,2 million Euros and R20 000.