A man (28) has been arrested for dealing in cycad plants at Kwanyuswa, Ezinqoleni and is expected to appear in the Ezingolweni Magistrate’s Court today. The arrest was carried out by Hawks members from Port Shepstone Serious Organised Crime Investigation, assisted by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

Police spokesman Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo said information was received about the man, who was advertising cycad plants for sale on Facebook. The man indicated that he was not in possession of a permit to do so.

An undercover operation was conducted and five cycad plants were recovered. A further search was conducted in his residence and two large encephalartos ghellinckii cycads and 39 small encephalartos natalensis cycads were seized. The man was placed under arrest and charged for illegal dealing in cycad plants.

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