- Police, who have arrested one of Israel’s most wanted fugitives, have seized more evidence, including a van believed to be used for assault and torture.
- Officers continued to search the Bryanston property hours after eight men were arrested Thursday.
- Police believe the men were involved in the import and export of drugs.
Police who arrested Israel’s most wanted fugitive on Thursday morning discovered a van rigged for torture and murder, a signal jammer, a drone and drugs at a property in Bryanston, Johannesburg.
When the police broke the news of the arrest that same day, they announced that they had found a cache of weapons and lots of money, including US dollars.
A multidisciplinary team of specialized policemen pounced on the wanted Israeli mobster and seven others around 02:00.
The leafy neighborhood of Bryanston was awakened by the sound of an armored vehicle crashing into the gate of the house, which is located on one of the most expensive streets in the country, Eccleston Crescent.
“It’s been a months-long investigation. Imagine going through those gates knowing there are snipers and things like that,” Maj. Gen. Shadrack Sibiya said at the property Thursday afternoon.
An Israeli fugitive, described as the country’s most wanted gang leader, has been arrested during an operation by the South African Police Service and Interpol in Bryanston, Johannesburg.
An Israeli fugitive, described as the country’s most wanted gang leader, has been arrested during an operation by the South African Police Service and Interpol in Bryanston, Johannesburg.
He spoke to News24 as a forensics team combed the house for evidence.
Among several vehicles in the driveway was a delivery van. Unpretentious from the outside, the white vehicle had been transformed, with thick soundproofing covering the interior.
There was a cream-colored table with a chair firmly attached to it.
Sibiya claimed that the van was used to transport a sniper.
He said it was also used for torture.
READ | Israel’s ‘Most Wanted Gang Leader’ Arrested in Joburg
A newer delivery vehicle was parked in the parking lot. It is believed that this van would be transformed next.
A member of the task force said the team began its operation at 10 p.m. Wednesday before attacking in the early hours of the morning.
“There is nothing good in this house. You go to the sofa, and there is a gun on the side, there are guns in the bedrooms, an AK-47 upstairs, guns in the garage,” the specialized officer said.
An Israeli fugitive, described as the “country’s most wanted gang leader”, has been arrested during an operation by South African police and Interpol in Johannesburg.
An Israeli fugitive, described as the country’s most wanted gang leader, has been arrested during an operation by the South African Police Service and Interpol in Bryanston, Johannesburg.
An Israeli fugitive, described as the country’s most wanted gang leader, has been arrested during an operation by the South African Police Service and Interpol in Bryanston, Johannesburg.
Sibiya said police found a jammer, a drone and GPS tracking devices.
Other seized electronic devices included several laptops, cell phones (smartphones and disposable phones), and an iPad.
The police found six motorcycles, three of which were stolen.
Authorities believe the bikes may have been used in hit-and-runs.
Investigators also found US$40,000, an undisclosed amount of Israeli shekels, and two money counting machines.
Two members of the police K9 Unit arrived at the scene in the morning and discovered between two and three kilograms of cocaine. There was also an undisclosed amount of MDMA or ecstasy.
Other finds were 19 firearms, including two AK-24s with dual magazines, a silenced mini-Ruger, a silenced assault rifle, four 9mm Glocks, and two Ruby revolvers. Several silencers were also found, as well as three bulletproof vests.
An Israeli fugitive, described as the country’s most wanted gang leader, has been arrested during an operation by the South African Police Service and Interpol in Bryanston, Johannesburg.
The 46-year-old is believed to be connected to a criminal syndicate in Israel called the Abergil Organization, which has been linked to drug trafficking, extortion and other criminal activity.
Eight vehicles were found on the property, and police determined that one of them had been stolen. Several license plates were also discovered at the house.
Neighbors were shocked to hear the news.
A young man, who did not want to be named, said the suspect moved about three years ago.
One woman, who lives down the street, added that she remembers the original property being demolished and a “big building” with many rooms built in its place.
An Israeli fugitive, described as the country’s most wanted gang leader, has been arrested during an operation by the South African Police Service and Interpol in Bryanston, Johannesburg.
An Israeli fugitive, described as the country’s most wanted gang leader, has been arrested during an operation by the South African Police Service and Interpol in Bryanston, Johannesburg.
The height of the walls, which measure four meters, was also doubled during construction.
Sibiya said the highly-trained group belonged to a notorious Israeli criminal organization.
The main suspect has lived in South Africa since 2007.
The group was involved in the movement and trafficking of drugs, authorities said.
The eight men were still on the scene at 3:00 p.m. as coroner’s officers combed the property.
