Foreign national caught with rhino horns worth R1.7-m

Police are still trying to establish the origin of the rhino horns. The investigation continues.

The two rhino horns, with an estimated street value of around R1.7-million, were confiscated by the police. Photo supplied.

A 34-year-old foreign national was arrested after allegedly being busted for possession of rhino horns with an estimated street value of around R1.7-million, on the R21 in Boksburg.

The suspect, a man, was arrested by the Benoni Flying Squad (BFS) and Ekhuruleni Central Cluster (ECC) Task Team on Monday.

According to Benoni Flying Squad spokesperson WO Grant Giblin, the investigation started at about midday when WO Renier Dorling and WO Francois Jansen from BFS, together with the ECC Tactical Team, followed up on a suspect who was reportedly in possession of rhino horns and looking for a buyer.

The man was reportedly followed after being picked up by a grey Toyota bakkie in Benoni next to One Sun Hotel just before 3pm.

Police stopped the vehicle transporting the suspect with the horns on the R21 underneath the Griffiths Road bridge. Photo supplied.

The vehicle transporting the suspect travelled along the N12 and turned onto the R21 before the cops pulled it off underneath the Griffiths Road bridge.

A thorough search was carried out and the suspect was allegedly found in possession of two rhino horns. He was immediately placed under arrest and the horns, weighing in excess of two kilograms, was confiscated.

The suspect was charged with possession of rhino horns and was scheduled to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court.