The material, stolen in various parts of the country, which was hidden in five containers and hidden between ferrous waste and scrap, was going 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 to dismantle a criminal association led by an Indian citizen and another from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in 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 a concerted manner, issued favorable opinions to the exit of goods, giving apparent faith in lawful procedures.
The operation worked with the coverage of companies with export licenses for ferrous waste.
In a clarification note released, the ministry stressed that "it is in full alignment with the SIC" and that "internal work is ongoing with the directorates that compete for export licensing processes, as well as the corresponding ministerial departments", to ascertain more data on the companies involved.
He also stresses that the ministry is committed to "complying with the 'zero rate' of export of scrap and / or ferrous material as it is the raw material of the steel industry", which is very much in demand in Angola.
"Likewise, using the law on commercial activities and other related diplomas, appropriate treatment will be given to companies that have transferred (rented) their permits", the note adds.
In March 2020, the Tax Police had also seized ten 20-foot containers with stripped electrical cables, copper and aluminum bars.
According to Manuel Halaiwa, "these actions aim at the smuggling of electric cables and copper pieces, 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 ".
