Staff Reporter
Three people have been questioned by the Hawks in Bloemfontein after they received a parcel containing firearms parts which had allegedly been falsely declared as workshop spares.
Hawks provincial spokesperson Warrant Officer Lynda Steyn said in a statement no one had been arrested but the priority crime investigating unit is still trying to establish the reason for the false declaration.
“An alleged illegal firearms parts consignment that was imported from the United States of America was intercepted in Bloemfontein on Wednesday,” Steyn said.
She said the Hawks’ National Priority Violence Crime followed up on information received from a contact relating to the consignment which was sent to South Africa using a freight shipping service.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the parcel was falsely declared as workshop parts as recorded in the waybill number,” Steyn said.
“Based on the gathered information a search warrant was then obtained, the shipment was tracked.”
The delivery of the package was then closely monitored and a special task team lay in wait when it was delivered to a place along Innes Avenue, Waverly, Bloemfontein.
“Three alleged recipients were interviewed and statements have since been obtained,” Steyn said.
“Other . . . electronic equipment (was) also confiscated pending further investigation.
“No arrests were effected . . . as the investigation is still continuing.”