Mozambican criminal investigation police have issued a new warning to sellers of car parts and accessories of dubious origin. This time, the tone has hardened. The National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic) announced today that it will detain everyone found selling components stolen from vehicles, in an attempt to curb a phenomenon that continues to feed the clandestine market in Maputo.
In a statement released this Monday, Sernic acknowledges that, despite operations carried out in recent months, the robbery and theft of car parts persist, with clear signs of reoffending.
“Since the first operation, carried out on 28 February, significant progress has been recorded. However, cases of reoffending persist in the crimes of robbery and theft of vehicle parts and accessories,” the institution states, also pointing to the existence of networks involved in receiving and selling these illicit goods.
The authorities believe that the continuation of these crimes is directly linked to the existence of buyers and sellers who feed the illegal circuit, allowing the business to thrive in the informal markets of the Mozambican capital.
In recent months, Sernic has stepped up raids on places considered critical for the sale of stolen goods. In March, a similar operation ended with the arrest of at least 44 people, including 42 Nigerian nationals, for failing to justify the origin of the products they were selling.
Most of the seizures took place at the Estrela informal market in Maputo, often identified by the authorities as one of the main hubs for the circulation of car parts of suspect origin.
A few weeks earlier, on 28 February, the investigation police had already carried out one of the largest operations of its kind in southern Mozambique. On that occasion, around 70 tonnes of stolen accessories were seized in three black markets in the capital, while 15 suspects were arrested.
In view of the continuation of these crimes, Sernic now guarantees that future operations will be more severe in scope. As well as seizing goods, the authorities promise to bring immediate legal proceedings against everyone found selling stolen products.
According to the statement, the suspects may face criminal charges of handling stolen goods and aiding and abetting.
“Sernic reaffirms its firm commitment to combating these crimes, ensuring rigorous and uncompromising action against offenders,” the institution stresses, also urging the public to avoid any involvement in buying, selling or concealing goods of illicit origin.
