Three suspects between the ages of 38 and 53 were arrested near the Halls filling station outside Mbombela on Thursday July 18 for the illegal possession of elephant tusks.
The provincial Hawks’ spokesperson, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, said the trio originated from Thohoyandou in Limpopo and were arrested by the NelspruitSerious Organised Crime Investigation Unit and the White River Flying Squad.
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“We received information regarding a double-cab Toyota Hilux suspected to be carrying elephant tusks. The team operationalised the information, and the vehicle fitting the description was spotted, stopped and searched. During the search, three elephant tusks were found hidden inside a bag in the rear of the vehicle,” she said.
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Sekgotodi added that the suspects were apprehended and charged with the illegal possession of elephant tusks and contravening the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act.
They are expected to make their first court appearance in Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Friday July 19.
Exhibits and the vehicle valued at R70 000 were seized for further investigations.
