KEY POINTS
- Nigerian national Benjamin Stanley Okwudili received arrest from Hawks officers for controlling R50 million palladium in Sandton.
- During the targeted raid police discovered palladium which a luxury item worth R50 million inside a suitcase hidden in a garage.
- On March 10 Okwudili must return to court because he did not present legal documentation.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Hawks seize R50 million palladium in Sandton, arrested Nigerian national Benjamin Stanley Okwudili at Linbro Park Sandton.
Gauteng Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Ramovha reported that the operation performed on February 27 operated based on intelligence information to stop Precious Metals Act violations.
The police conducted the operation using essential information which revealed that palladium was illegally stored at the 1st Road residence in Linbro Park. All members of the team rushed directly to the marked location without delay.
A Nigerian male named Mr. Benjamin Stanley Okwudili engaged with the police team when they arrived at the scene according to Ramovha testimony.
Discovery of R50 Million Palladium in Sandton Raid
A gold suitcase covered by cling film emerged during the premises search in the garage making Hawks Seize R50 Million Palladium in Sandton Raid. The silver stones weighing 90 kilograms were discovered in the inspection and deemed to be palladium with an estimated worth of R50 million.
The silver-white material Palladium serves both electronics manufacturing and industrial manufacturing sectors because of its rarity.
When questioned by police officials Okwudili stated that the suitcase originated from the Congo while waiting for a forthcoming buyer to take possession. The suspect showed no proof to indicate his right to own this mineral despite his possession of it.
The South African Police Service’s Local Criminal Record Centre applied its forensic procedures to the crime scene before arresting Okwudili at age 55 and sending him to Sandringham police station for detention.
Court appearance and law enforcement response
On Monday Okwudili attended the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court where the court postponed his case until March 10 to verify his status according to South African law.
Major General Ebrahim Kadwa of Gauteng Hawks spoke positively about the arrest as he declared:
The conducted operation delivers an official caution to all precious metal dealership operators that they must strictly abide by legal regulations. The Precious Metals Act violations will lead authorities to enforce legal consequences against all law-breaking individuals and organizations.
Previous high-profile gold arrests
Two men received arrests for unlawful possession of R15 million worth of gold in Brakpan during November 2024.
Through their illegal activities the suspects Joachim Chivayo from Zimbabwe and Ayanda Brian Gungwa from South Africa attempted to sell six unwrought gold bars.
During the arrests authorities took possession of a Mercedes-Benz SUV which indicates the valuable nature of illegal precious metal transactions.
