Hawks grab travel bags stuffed with R21.1 million in Bloemfontein airport swoop

17 February 2017 - 10:41 By Nashira Davids
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Alert police members and security officers working at the Bram Fischer Airport in BLoemfontein, arrested two men after they were found with a substantial amount of cash contained in four large travel bags. File photo
Alert police members and security officers working at the Bram Fischer Airport in BLoemfontein, arrested two men after they were found with a substantial amount of cash contained in four large travel bags. File photo
Image: South African Police Service via Facebook

How much money can one pack into four ''big travelling bags''?

On Valentine's Day the Hawks pounced on two men at Bloemfontein airport before they boarded a plane with more than R21.1-million stuffed in their bags.

Police Captain Philani Nkwalase said the Hawks‚ acting on a tip-off‚ arrested 25-year-old Baig Mahomed and 50-year-old Mahomed Hoosen.

"The Hawks‚ along with the police‚ swiftly acted on information about the duo [who] had four big travelling bags full of cash." They were intercepted before catching a flight to Cape Town‚ said Nkwalase.

"Preliminary investigations revealed that they drove from Durban to Bloemfontein prior to their arrest.

Furthermore‚ it was established that Baig had a previous conviction for possession of dagga in 2010.''

Police believe the money – which includes US dollars – is the proceeds of crime.

Baig and Mahomed appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Thursday. The matter was postponed to February 21.

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