A 44-year-old foreign national is due to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate Court today on charges of contravention of the National Environmental Management and Biodiversity Act.
The suspect is alleged to have been involved in the staged theft of rhino horns at Haartebeesfontein.
READ | Suspect linked to rhino poaching to appear in court today
The suspect was arrested yesterday in Heidelberg during the execution of an authorised search and seizure warrant and a warrant of arrest.
The warrants were executed in Centurion and Heidelberg, respectively, in an intelligence-driven operation by the members of Serious Organised Crime Investigation’s Wildlife Trafficking Section of the Hawks. The members were assisted by the Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), the Pretoria K9 unit, SAPS Head Office’ Modus Operandi Centre at head office, and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment.
“During the search in Centurion, suspected illegal processed elephant ivory to the value of R200 000 were discovered and seized.
“On the same day of the suspect’s appearance, his co-accused - 52-year-old Bao Trung, a Vietnamese national - will also be appearing in the same court for formal bail application following his appearance last week,” the police said.
The acting National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Patrick Mbotho, reiterated that the DPCI will remain steadfast in stamping out wildlife trafficking and related serious organised crime. – SAnews.gov.za
