NXUBA, Eastern Cape – Mullen Nigel Marillier (64) appeared before the Nxuba Magistrate’s Court on 13 April and was released on R15,000 bail for possession of suspected stolen property and unlawful possession of ammunition.
His arrest followed a joint operation by the Nxuba Dog Unit (K9), Nxuba Crime Intelligence, Nxuba SAPS Second Hand Goods Unit, and the Nxuba Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) on 10 April.
According to police spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, it is alleged that information was received regarding Marillier, a resident of Nxuba (formerly Cradock), being in possession of non‑ferrous copper metals.
She said that a search warrant was applied for and granted.
Mgolodela said that a multi‑disciplinary, intelligence‑driven tactical operation was conducted on 10 April.
She said that the team went to the target house and requested to search the premises.
Mgolodela said that during the search, the team allegedly discovered the following items: 17.8 kg of copper Telkom cable, 113.4 kg of aluminium wires, 1 kg of fibre cable, 2 kg of burnt copper cables and 27 x 9mm live rounds of ammunition.
“All the items have an estimated street value of R145,000,” said Mgolodela.
She said that around 11:00 on 13 April, the team continued the search after receiving information that more copper items were buried in the yard of the suspect as well as in a flat at the back of the property.
The team reportedly found: 2.2 kg of burnt copper, 36.4 kg of Eskom copper and 13.6 kg of loose copper.
Mgolodela said that these items have an estimated street value of R13,500.
The District Commissioner, Major General Rudolph Adolph, commended the joint efforts of the team, noting that damage to infrastructure negatively affects the economy of the country.
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