Part of the haul. Photos: Provided

Two suspects (aged 30 and 31) from Table View are being investigated by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Unit. Cases of contraventions of the Electronic Communication and Transactions Act and possession of a prohibited firearm and narcotics are being investigated. The pair was arrested on Thursday by police in Table View. The arrests followed a domestic violence complaint.

When the police arrived at the scene they were told that the complaint was false. They were on their way to the police station when they received a tip-off stating that the “address had always been a hive of suspicious activities,” says Hawks’ spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha.

Cloned bank cards, and more in their possession
The police returned and carried out a search and seizure operation. They found and seized almost 700 suspected cloned bank cards, seven point of sale devices, a .22 rifle with ammunition, several passports, several IDs and driver’s licenses, electronic equipment and 4 grams of cocaine.

Members of the Hawks were summoned to the scene to undertake further investigations. These aim to shed light on the pair’s alleged unlawful activities broadly, as there are apparent signs that this syndicate could be operating nationally.

The pair is expected to appear before the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday 23 October. Charges of forgery, fraud and uttering are to be added.