SIC seizes 11 thousand tons of copper cables

Angolan police seized on Thursday more than 11,000 tonnes of electrical cables and stolen copper ingots, hidden in containers that were to be exported through the Port of Luanda, reports Jornal de Angola.
The material, stolen in various parts of the country, which was hidden in five containers and hidden between ferrous garbage and scrap, was to be exported to the United Arab Emirates.

According to the director of the Institutional Communication and Press Office of the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC), Manuel Halaiwa, quoted by the daily, the investigation allowed the dismantling of a criminal association led by an Indian citizen and another from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRCongo), in which Angolans also participated.

Involved in this network are official dispatchers, employees of the General Tax Administration (AGT), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Fiscal Police “who, in concert, issued opinions favorable to the exit of goods, giving apparent faith in lawful procedures.

The operation worked with the coverage of companies holding licenses to export ferrous waste.

In a clarification note released today, the ministry noted that "it is in full alignment with the SIC" and that "internal work is underway with the departments that compete for the export licensing processes, as well as the corresponding ministerial departments", to find out more about the companies involved.

He also underlines that the ministry is committed to "compliance with the 'zero rate' of exports of scrap and/or ferrous material as it is a raw material for the steel industry", which is much sought after in Angola.

“In the same way, using the commercial activities law and other related diplomas, appropriate treatment will be given to companies that have transferred (lease) their permits”, the note adds.

In March 2020, the Fiscal Police had also made the seizure of ten 20-foot containers with stripped electrical cables, copper and aluminum bars.

According to Manuel Halaiwa, “these actions aim at smuggling electrical cables and copper parts, through scenes of vandalism against public goods, carried out by unknown individuals, many of whom are encouraged by foreign citizens, throughout the country, with greater incidence in the province of Luanda”.