Pretoria – A substantial seizure of copper by the Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) led to the arrest of a 27-year-old man in Pretoria, who is set to appear in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on charges of illegal possession of copper.

According to South African Government News Agency, commonly known as the Hawks, an operation was conducted on Friday following a tip-off regarding a syndicate purportedly involved in crimes including the illegal dealing and sale of copper.

The Hawks’ team executed a search at a property located on Attie Street in Booysens. The property owner was found with copper alleged to have been purchased at an auction in Bloemfontein. Although the suspect presented a second-hand goods dealer permit for trading in copper, the authorities determined that the permit did not comply with the requirements of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act 18 of 2015, which necessitates a certificate for copper possession.

The suspect was taken into custody, and the copper, valued at over R50 million, was confiscated. The case is set for a hearing in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on November 6, 2023.