The eThekwini District Task Team conducted an intelligence driven operation at Umlazi ‘N’ Section where a chop shop with Volkswagen vehicle parts was discovered. 

This initiative, steeped in investigative diligence, is part of an ongoing effort by Crime Intelligence officers to disrupt the illicit trade surrounding stolen vehicles in Durban and its neighbouring areas, including Sydenham, Berea, Umbilo, Hillcrest, and Pinetown.

The operation followed a meticulous gathering of intelligence which indicated the existence of the chop shop. After verifying the credibility of the information received, police moved swiftly to strike at the targeted premises in Umlazi.

Initial findings revealed that the property was occupied by tenants, but crucially, the individual of interest was absent at the time of the raid.

Upon inspection, law enforcement uncovered a trove of suspected stolen vehicle parts. Among the items retrieved were door panels for VW Polos, dashboards, suspensions, bumpers, pedals, steering wheels, and side and rear mirrors.

Additional searches revealed an engine that had been reported stolen in Pinetown in November 2024, along with several other engines that had been tampered with. Notably, a set of number plates located on the premises was identified as belonging to a vehicle stolen in the Berea policing precinct back in September 2024.

Investigators believe that the suspect was potentially running an illicit vehicle parts sales operation from within their rented accommodation.

As a result, all recovered items have been seized for further forensic investigations, while authorities continue their search for the elusive suspect responsible for this elaborate operation.

IOL

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