Polokwane court denies bail to trio arrested for illegal possession of elephant tusks
The suspects were arrested in the parking lot of a local mall during a joint undercover operation last week
POLOKWANE – The Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 25 January denied bail to three men who were arrested for the illegal possession of elephant tusks. Their case was postponed to 2 February for further police investigation.
The trio were arrested during a joint undercover operation at a local mall last Friday. Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe earlier explained that the men approached the undercover members in attempt to sell the ivory in their possession. “The suspects were engaged and were found to be in the possession of four elephant tusks. They were arrested on the spot on charges related to the illegal possession and sale of ivory.”
The elephant tusks are worth an estimated R168 000. The trio, aged 31, 33 and 36, remain in custody.
January 22
POLOKWANE – The police on Friday arrested three suspects for possession of elephant tusks worth over R100 000. The suspects were arrested at a local mall during an undercover operation which was conducted by the police together with the Endangered Species Unit in Limpopo, K9 unit, Crime Intelligence, LEDET and KNP ECI .
Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe said the officers were on joint undercover operation at the mall at around 10:00, when they were approached by the suspects who wanted to sell them the ivory. “
The suspects were engaged and found to be in the possession of four elephant tusks. They were arrested on the spot.”
The recovered ivory is estimated to the value of R168 000, Ngoepe added.
The suspects, aged between 31 and 36, are expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s court on Monday, 25 January. They face charges related to the illegal possession and sale of ivory.
