Five suspects are appearing in the Durban Commercial Crimes Court today after being found with over R1.5 million in counterfeit currency. Police were performing patrolling duties in Victoria Street, Durban on Sunday when a wholesale shop owner stopped them.
The complainant told them that he had served a customer the previous day who had paid him using two counterfeit R100 notes. The same suspect had apparently returned to the same shop. The complainant pointed out the suspect to patrolling police officers.
They searched the suspect and found ten counterfeit R100 notes in his possession. After being arrested and interviewed by SAPS, the suspect then took police to a house in Chatsworth - South of Durban.
The house was searched and various fraudulent documents and equipment, 447 counterfeit DVDs and counterfeit South African currency to the value of R1 547 million was seized. Four more suspects were arrested in the house.
The suspects are Malawian citizens. Their legality in South Africa is still to be established.
Media Contact:
Colonel McIntosh Polela
Tel: 012 400 6584 / 6579
Fax: 012 400 7018
Cell: 082 475 1427
E-mail: dpci.communication@saps.org.za
Suspects bust with over R1.5 million in counterfeit South African currency
