Five alleged car smugglers arrested, 20 vehicles recovered along northern KZN border

Police recently recovered 20 cars stolen in and around KZN and Pretoria during a cross-border crackdown in northern KZN.

Supplied/SAPS

Five people were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal in connection with car smuggling and cross border crimes.A total of 20 cars,including bakkies and SUVs,were recovered by police in the past few weeks.The cars were stolen in and around Durban Central,Durban North,Westville,Chatsworth,Pinetown,and Umhlali.KwaZulu-Natal police have arrested five alleged car smugglers and recovered 20 vehicles,during a crackdown on cross-border crimes in the north of KZN.

According to police spokesperson,Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk,the recovered vehicles include 11 bakkies,seven SUVs,a minibus,and a sedan in recent weeks.

“Investigations reveal that the recovered vehicles were stolen in and around Durban Central,and Umhlali,” Van Wyk said.

Police said the task team deployed in Emanguzi has continued to deal decisively with those involved in cross-border crimes in northern KZN.

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Van Wyk said in the latest takedown,the team followed up on information they obtained about a vehicle destined to cross the Kosi Bay border.

“The vehicle was successfully intercepted on Monday,9 June,leading to the arrest of one suspect who was found in possession of various fraudulent documents to cross the border,” she added.

READ | Police crack down on sophisticated cross-border smuggling network

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect may be linked to car insurance fraud and investigations remain ongoing.

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“A national intervention was established involving SAPS members from various disciplines that include crime intelligence,proactive and reactive policing units,and detectives to prevent and combat cross border crimes along the northern border of KZN,” said Van Wyk.

These identified cross-border crimes include,among others,theft of motor vehicles,house robberies,business robberies,hijacking of vehicles,murder,and attempted murder.

Border Management Authority (BMA) spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi said that the BMA work with the SA Police Service (SAPS),SA National Defence Force (SANDF),and the community policing forums in intercepting stolen vehicles.

Highlighting previous success,Mogotsi said that last month BMA guards uncovered a black Senke motorbike frame concealed inside a trailer,while conducting search operations at the customs inspection area.

According to Mogotsi,the frame matched details from a pending police case of a stolen motorbike in Mayville,Durban.

“The suspect,who was en route to Malawi,was also found in possession of seven mobile phones for which he could not provide proof of ownership. He was detained in accordance with the Immigration Act and a case was opened in Emanguzi Police station,” she said.

Police recently recovered 20 cars stolen in and around KZN and Pretoria during a cross-border crackdown in northern KZN.

Supplied/SAPS

On the same day,the guards also intercepted a white Toyota Hilux driven by a Mozambican man en route to Mozambique. Upon inspection,the guards found that the VIN and engine numbers had both been tampered with.

“A detailed check confirmed the [car] was reported stolen in Lyttelton (Pretoria),” said Mogotsi.

Police recently recovered 20 cars stolen in and around KZN and Pretoria during a cross-border crackdown in northern KZN.

Supplied/SAPS

Later that same day,a black Toyota Corolla Cross SUV attempting to cross into Mozambique was also recovered.

According to the BMA,the driver had failed to provide credible documentation for the car.

“The border guards discovered that the [car] was operating under a false disc and had tampered VIN and engine numbers. It was later confirmed that the [car] was stolen in Durban North,” Mogotsi added.

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