James.Grage
AH legend
11 nabbed after R1.2m in rhino horns seized
Mduduzi Mtakati
FILE PICTURE: 33 rhino horns confiscated in a bust. Some were taken from adult rhinos while others are believed to have been taken from juveniles. Picture supplied.
The confiscated rhino horns are estimated to have a street value of R1.2 million.
Eleven suspects have been arrested after four rhino horns were discovered yesterday.
Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said during the operation dealing with rhino poaching, 11 suspects including three police officers and Chinese nationals were arrested at a complex in Greenstone, Edenvale, on the East Rand.
“We also confiscated six luxurious cars, five firearms and equipment used to poach rhinos. The four rhino horns confiscated are estimated to have a street value of R1.2 million,” added Mulaudzi.
All arrested suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
This after three people – two women and a man – were arrested for allegedly conspiring to poach rhino in the Kruger National Park (KNP) last Thursday.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Robert Netshiunda said police received an anonymous tip-off about a group of people who were plotting to poach rhino in the park.
“Security at all the gates was alerted and the identified vehicle was stopped at Numbi. Upon searching it, a .375 hunting rifle was found hidden in the engine compartment of the vehicle, while a silencer and ammunition were hidden in the boot,” he said.
“The intention was apparently to drop off the firearm inside the park so that it could be picked up by poachers who were already inside the park. One suspect evaded arrest and fled into the bush,” he said.
Mduduzi Mtakati
FILE PICTURE: 33 rhino horns confiscated in a bust. Some were taken from adult rhinos while others are believed to have been taken from juveniles. Picture supplied.
The confiscated rhino horns are estimated to have a street value of R1.2 million.
Eleven suspects have been arrested after four rhino horns were discovered yesterday.
Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said during the operation dealing with rhino poaching, 11 suspects including three police officers and Chinese nationals were arrested at a complex in Greenstone, Edenvale, on the East Rand.
“We also confiscated six luxurious cars, five firearms and equipment used to poach rhinos. The four rhino horns confiscated are estimated to have a street value of R1.2 million,” added Mulaudzi.
All arrested suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
This after three people – two women and a man – were arrested for allegedly conspiring to poach rhino in the Kruger National Park (KNP) last Thursday.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Robert Netshiunda said police received an anonymous tip-off about a group of people who were plotting to poach rhino in the park.
“Security at all the gates was alerted and the identified vehicle was stopped at Numbi. Upon searching it, a .375 hunting rifle was found hidden in the engine compartment of the vehicle, while a silencer and ammunition were hidden in the boot,” he said.
“The intention was apparently to drop off the firearm inside the park so that it could be picked up by poachers who were already inside the park. One suspect evaded arrest and fled into the bush,” he said.
