Stolen copper wire seized at Walvis Bay

MORE than a tonne of stolen NamPower copper wire, which was destined for the scrap-metal trade at Walvis Bay, was intercepted by the Swakopmund Police on Tuesday.

According to the Swakopmund Station Commander, Chief Inspector Ottilie Kashipulua, a tip-off from the public indicated that the suspects were on their way to Walvis Bay, where they were going to sell the copper wire to a scrap-metal dealer. The suspects were transporting the wire in two cars.The Police identified the vehicles and followed them on the B2 road from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay.One of the vehicles was pulled off on the road.About 400 kg of copper wire was found in the boot.Two men were arrested.The other vehicle was followed to the scrap-metal business.Just before entering the premises, the suspects were pulled over.Here too, about 400 kg of wire was found in the boot.Three men were arrested, bringing the total number of suspects arrested to five.According to Kashipulua, another 429 kg of copper wire was confiscated from the business, which the suspects allegedly delivered earlier, but had not been paid for yet.They would have collected payment after the delivery of the second and third consignments – those that were intercepted along the way.A total of 1 156 kg of copper wire was intended for sale at a price of N$28 000.The wire was allegedly stolen from NamPower lines along the gravel trunk road behind the dune belt between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.The wire had already been “processed” – the plastic insulation had been burnt off.Selling it clean – without the plastic – ensures a higher price for the copper.According to Kashipulua, this has been one of the biggest busts in copper-wire theft in the region.All five suspects are in custody awaiting a charge of theft, while the Police continue to investigate.”We appreciate the involvement of the public.Because of them, we were able to make this bust, and therefore urge them to continue assisting the Police to stamp out crime from our region,” Kashipulua stated.The suspects were transporting the wire in two cars.The Police identified the vehicles and followed them on the B2 road from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay.One of the vehicles was pulled off on the road.About 400 kg of copper wire was found in the boot.Two men were arrested.The other vehicle was followed to the scrap-metal business.Just before entering the premises, the suspects were pulled over.Here too, about 400 kg of wire was found in the boot.Three men were arrested, bringing the total number of suspects arrested to five.According to Kashipulua, another 429 kg of copper wire was confiscated from the business, which the suspects allegedly delivered earlier, but had not been paid for yet.They would have collected payment after the delivery of the second and third consignments – those that were intercepted along the way.A total of 1 156 kg of copper wire was intended for sale at a price of N$28 000.The wire was allegedly stolen from NamPower lines along the gravel trunk road behind the dune belt between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.The wire had already been “processed” – the plastic insulation had been burnt off.Selling it clean – without the plastic – ensures a higher price for the copper.According to Kashipulua, this has been one of the biggest busts in copper-wire theft in the region.All five suspects are in custody awaiting a charge of theft, while the Police continue to investigate.”We appreciate the involvement of the public.Because of them, we were able to make this bust, and therefore urge them to continue assisting the Police to stamp out crime from our region,” Kashipulua stated.