Police in KwaZulu Natal arrested a scrapyard owner and three foreign nationals in two separate busts where copper cables worth R8.3 million were confiscated last week.
Spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda says the arrests form part of their high-density "Operation Shanela."
He says in Durban a scrapyard owner was arrested when he could not account for illegal copper cables worth R2.3 million on his property.
Colonel Netshiunda says earlier last week they also followed up on reports of a stolen truck and trailer that was later found abandoned in Pietermaritzburg.
He says police found R6 million worth of copper in a trailer that was reportedly stolen.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Durban and Pietermaritzburg Magistrate Court respectively on Monday.
