Suspects arrested at Greenstone for allegedly trading in unwrought gold dust and nuggets sourced from illegal miners
Nine suspects aged between 20 and 56 are scheduled to appear before the Edenvale Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 10 September 2026, following their arrest for the illegal possession and dealing of precious metals.
On Friday, 4 September 2026, members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) received intelligence regarding a foreign national allegedly trading in unwrought gold dust and nuggets sourced from illegal miners.
Following intense surveillance, the team operationalised a search warrant at a targeted premises in Greenstone on Tuesday, 8 September 2026. Upon entering the property, officers detained two females and seven males.
A thorough search of the premises uncovered approximately 20 kilograms of palladium, 11 kilograms of osmium, and specialised machinery used to process unwrought gold. The total estimated value of the seized minerals and equipment stands at R23 million. All nine suspects were immediately arrested after failing to produce…