Authorities intercept copper theft syndicate during early morning raid
Authorities successfully managed to foil an escape attempt during a sting operation targeting copper cable theft.
A multidisciplinary operation has led to the arrest of seven suspects believed to be part of a syndicate targeting underground copper cables in Newcastle.
Imraan Ghafoor of the Newcastle Fighters Task Team (CCPA) said ‘Operation Tunnel Buster’ was the result of several weeks of intelligence gathering by a coordinated team that included the SAPS Newcastle Stabilisation Team, SAPS Newcastle K9 Unit, SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Crime Intelligence, the CCPA, Amajuba District, Crime Fighters Task Team, ITHEMBA Security, and CPI Investigations.
“Law enforcement had been monitoring a group of skilled criminals who were allegedly responsible for stealing copper from critical infrastructure using underground tunnels,” he said.
On Saturday, June 29, intelligence confirmed that a group of suspects from Gauteng had joined forces with their local accomplices and were preparing to strike.
Officers continued to keep surveillance throughout the night, and at dawn on Sunday morning, just as the suspects attempted to flee the scene, operational teams sprang into action, tactfully intercepting two vehicles.
Ninety kilograms of copper was seized during the raid. A Toyota Hilux single cab bakkie, a Volkswagen T-Cross, copper-cutting equipment, and other incriminating items were also confiscated.
“All seven suspects were detained on the scene. Investigations are ongoing, with several leads being followed to link the suspects to additional reported cases of copper cable theft,” said Ghafoor.
The team was thanked ‘for their precision and dedication and commended for their tireless efforts in protecting the town’s infrastructure from continued criminal activities.’
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