Men caught at King Shaka airport with elephant tusks worth R200k
Police said the men were travelling from Pretoria to look for buyers in Durban. The tusks they had in their possession weighed 8.1 kilograms.
The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team in Durban arrested six men in possession of illicit elephant trunks worth R200 000.
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According to a police statement, the men, aged between 27 and 40, were arrested on Thursday after police received a tip-off about a group of men carrying elephant tusks.
“Two elephant tusks were found inside their vehicle. They were immediately arrested after they failed to provide the reason for them to possess parts of an endangered species. The recovered tusks weighed 8.1 kilograms and have an estimated street value of R200 000,” said Colonel Katlego Mogale Hawks spokesperson.
Police said the men were travelling from Pretoria to look for buyers in Durban.
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“The investigation led police to a lodge in Durban North where a further three men were arrested. Their vehicle was seized for further investigation. It was further discovered that the suspects were in Durban searching for a buyer of the tusks,” said Mogale.
The men were charged for the illegal possession of elephant tusks and contravention of the National Environmental Management of the Biodiversity Act.
The suspects will appear in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 22 February.
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