Western Cape police have arrested three suspects who were allegedly caught in the act while attempting to sell uncut diamonds in Cape Town.
The three suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
Western Cape police spokesperson, Captain Frederick van Wyk said the three were arrested by SAPS’ Flying Squad members who received a tip off about a possible deal where an uncut diamond would be sold at a property in Elsies River.
“The members operationalised the information and attended to the identified address where upon arrival they spotted the potential suspects. The three males aged between 50 and 52 tried to sell four uncut diamonds to the buyer but the members were there on time,” van Wyk said.
The three suspects were arrested and detained at the Elsies River police station for the illegal possession of uncut diamonds and fraud.
“The members also seized a diamond tester together with the diamonds with an estimated value of about R60,000. The three suspects will appear in the Goodwood Magistrates Court once charged, on the mentioned charge,” van Wyk said.
In a separate incident, members of the Western Cape Provincial Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Policing Team together with the Provincial Anti-Economic Crimes Task Team conducted an integrated operation with Brand Protectors from Micor Investigation Services in Bellville central business district.
The members conducted a search on various shops where 5,861 illicit tobacco products with an estimated street value of more than R250,135 were seized. Two foreign nationals aged 24 and 44 were arrested and detained at the Bellville police station.