VANDERBIJLPARK – A white Mercedes-Benz stolen in Vanderbijlpark earlier this month was recovered during a dramatic police raid in Mpumalanga over the Easter weekend.

This comes after officers who were part of the police’s Operation Vala Umgodi received intelligence on the alleged criminal activities in Vosman, eMalahleni.

Following the tip-off, officers pounced on a 27-year-old man, who is suspected of being in the country illegally. The foreign national was also caught with other stolen vehicles, car keys, cell phones, identity documents, license disks, and VIN stickers, which were confiscated, as well as dagga.

The police officers also confiscated about 41 units of cocaine abandoned on the premises. Meanwhile, the Mpumalanga police spokesperson confirmed the arrest and the confiscation of vehicles.

Amongst the seized vehicles was a Nissan Navara, charcoal in colour with Gauteng registration number plates.

The vehicle was reported stolen in March at Hartbeespoort Dam. There was also a white VW Amarok with Gauteng registration plates, which was reported stolen in January in Boschkop.