An intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of nine suspects (aged 26-46) for possession of suspected stolen copper worth more than half a million.
On Friday, 19 June 2026, police received information regarding an Isuzu bakkie with a suspicious heavy load travelling from Ku Gompo to Gqeberha. Further updates indicated that the said bakkie had a mechanical breakdown along the R72 near Kenton-on-Sea.
The Port Alfred Crime Intelligence Unit, assisted by the Port Alfred K9 Unit, CPU, Detectives Branch and FCS Unit, operationalised the information and traced the Isuzu bakkie fitting the description parked next to the road along the R72 near Kenton-on-Sea. There were two other vehicles with the suspicious bakkie.
Upon searching the bakkie, police found 1 619.18 kg of copper cables stashed under the mattress at the back of the bakkie. The contraband is valued at R600 000.
From the second vehicle, implements used in copper theft were found. The three motor vehicles were confiscated for further investigation.
The eleven (11) cellphones found in the three vehicles were also seized.
The nine (9) male occupants of the three (3) vehicles were arrested for possession of suspected stolen property.
The suspects are due to appear before the Kenton-on-Sea Magistrate’s Court soon.
#fightingcrime #CableTheft #TrioCrimes
