Mozambique: SERNIC cracks stolen vehicle trafficking ring in Manica – O País report

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Mozambique: SERNIC cracks stolen vehicle trafficking ring in Manica – O País report

7:38 CAT | 20 Jul 2021

Photo: O País

The National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) on Saturday cracked a stolen vehicle trafficking network operating from a residence in the Bairro Heróis Moçambicanos neighbourhood in Chimoio, Manica.

Vehicles stolen in neighbouring South Africa had their characteristics altered, registrations processed and were then sold, in connivance – according to SERNIC – with Customs, INATRO and Conservatória dos Registos e Notariados personnel.

The case that triggered the unmasking concerned two Toyota Fortuner vehicles, of the latest model, initially hired on June 30 from Hertz Car Rental in Johannesburg.

Posing as customers, the alleged robbers hired the vehicles. At the end of the hire period, the company activated the vehicles’ tracking devices and discovered that they were parked in a condominium in Chimoio.

Johannesburg Hertz Car Rental immediately informed Interpol, which contacted SERNIC, who on Friday went to the house in question, armed with a search warrant.

There are rumours that alleged protectionism prevented the recovery of vehicles. What is known is that the owner of the residence contacted his lawyer, and that the chief prosecutor of the city of Chimoio prevented the vehicles from being repossessed.

SERNIC is in no doubt that the scheme is facilitated by agents working in customs clearance, registration and the assignment of other vehicle documents.

“The network is very complex. We believe that there are a lot of people involved. We are going to work with Customs, INATRO and Registries and Notaries to establish who facilitated the document allocation scheme,” SERNIC spokesperson in Manica Amed Bulacho said.

By Carlitos Cadangue

Source: O País