LIMPOPO – Two people arrested for selling elephant tusks have appeared in the Senwabarwana Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 13 February and were remanded in custody until 11 May for further investigation.
The duo, who are believed to be from two different neighbouring countries, were arrested during an intelligence-driven operation between Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team and Crime intelligence.
Spokesperson for the Hawks, Capt Matimba Maluleke says the team followed up on information received about people selling elephant tusks in the Maleboho area and caught the duo red-handed trying to sell two tusks to local residents at Taaibosch village. The duo, aged 28 and 33, were arrested on the spot for dealing in elephant tusks. The elephant tusks have an estimated street value of R50 000 and investigations to establish the origin of them are still underway, Maluleke concluded.