A syndicate believed to be selling and supplying Cash-In-Transit (CIT) armed robberies, ATM bombing and illegal mining suspects with explosives has been nabbed.
The syndicate comprising of three men and a woman were arrested in Welkom, Free State during a tracing operation by SAPS EC Crime Intelligence, members of the National Intervention Unit (NIU) from Pretoria, as well as SAPS Free State Explosives section on Wednesday afternoon.
The suspects are believed to be involved in a number of cases where explosives were used in the commission of crimes such as ATM bombings, CIT’s and illicit mining activities in the Free State, Eastern Cape, North West and Gauteng.
The suspects were found with 40 explosives and a number of explosives accessories.
Through OPERATION SHANELA police have seized 11 481 explosives during roadblocks, tracing as well as stop and search operations since May 2023.
173 suspects have also been arrested during the same period for the illegal possession of explosives.
All four suspects are expected to appear before the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 23 February 2024 on charges relating to contravening Explosives Act 26 of 1956.