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Alleged wildlife traffickers arrested in a joint operation

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ALLEGED WILDLIFE TRAFFICKERS ARRESTED 

MPUMALANGA – A multi-disciplinary operation was conducted yesterday, 21 July 2021 by the Hawks’ Organised Crime Investigation,  Wildlife Trafficking Counter-Intelligence and private sector to curb wildlife trafficking in Nelspruit. 

wildlife
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Two suspects aged 48 and 53 are expected to appear at the Nelspruit Magistrates’ Court today after they were arrested whilst transporting 19 rhino horns in two bakkies. They were charged for illegal possession and selling of rhino horns. Their vehicles were impounded for further investigation. 

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The rhino horns with an estimated value of R2,6 million were seized and an investigation to ascertain if the suspects are linked to crimes contravening the Endangered Species Act is continuing.

Read more on the Hawks HERE