The police arrested three people in Virginia who were allegedly carrying explosives intended for a cash-in-transit vehicle bombing.

Two men and a woman were arrested near the Quest filling station on Monday 18 May.

Members of the Welkom Anti-Gang Unit intercepted the suspects after receiving intelligence that they were walking to the Virginia CBD to sell the explosives to a buyer.

The suspects were found with the explosives in a bag. The explosives unit and local criminal record centre were called to the scene.

Police seized 12 green shock tube assemblies, five white blasting cartridges, 15 yellow detonators, and a Vivo cellphone.

The three face charges under the Explosives Act 26 of 1956 for unauthorised possession of explosives.