The Gauteng Traffic Police in Krugersdorp pounced on three suspects in two separate incidents who were found with a large sum of money that could not be accounted for during a joint Okae Molao law enforcement operation in the West Rand corridor. The arrests which are directly linked to money laundering incidents happened this morning during a random stop and search operation conducted on the R41 road by the members belonging to the Gauteng Traffic Police and various law enforcement agencies.
In the first incident, a man aged 46 who was a passenger in a white Nyathi Taxi was arrested after being found carrying cash amounting to R34 430,00 in a suspicious manner. The suspect could not give a clear explanation as to why he was carrying the cash thus failed to account.
In another incident, two men aged 48 and 54 were passengers in a Toyota Yaris which was also used as an Uber were found carrying cash amounting to R112,000.00 which they could not account for. The total cash confiscated by the police amounts to R146 430.00. The above suspects were arrested for money laundering and are currently detained at Kagiso police station. The suspects are expected to appear at the Kagiso Magistrates Court in due course to face charges relating to money laundering amongst others.
Various law enforcement agencies under the command of the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, embark on Okae Molao operation every Thursday in all Gauteng corridors with an aim of ridding the communities of criminal elements and ensure that wanted suspects are successfully traced and apprehended.
“The Gauteng Traffic Police is delighted that the suspects allegedly involved in money laundering were swiftly intercepted and stopped in their tracks. These arrests will send a strong warning that Gauteng has a zero-tolerance approach on criminal elements such as money laundering,” said Sello Maremane, Gauteng Traffic Police Spokesperson.
“Money laundering poses a significant risk in the growth of our economy and has far reaching implications since most of these monies are not subjected to tax regulations. Anyone found in possession of money that cannot be accounted for will be arrested immediately without fear or favour,” added Sello Maremane.
