GAUTENG – The Hawks’ Serious Organized Crime Investigation team accompanied by Custom officials and South African Diamond & Precious Metals Regulator (SADPMR), conducted a search and seizure operation at a business premises along Hendrik Van Eck Street, Rosslyn, Pretoria on Wednesday.
The operation arose after Deterek Scrap Catalytic Converters (SCC) were reportedly continuing with illegal operations at their premises following a compliance inspection on 17 March 2021, where they were found operating without a license. Paraphernalia and processed powder valued at approximately R2 million were seized. The owner was warned to seize operations and apply for the requisite refinery license.
The team pounced on the company premises on Wednesday morning armed with a search and seizure warrant. Paraphernalia and powder classified under the precious metals Act was found from a fully operational premises. On enquiry there was no sight of the licence or export approval permits for the shipment. The owner was also nowhere to be found with only employees on site. The owner is now a subject of an ongoing Hawks’ investigation and should be brought to book soon.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General, Ebrahim Kadwa welcomed the outcome of the operation. “Unscrupulous catalytic convertors and precious metals dealers are warned that we will stop at nothing to ensure that they are stopped on their tracks”. The public is urged to report such illicit activities to authorities including malicious theft of essential infrastructure.