Two male suspects aged 36 and 43 respectively are being detained for the illegal possession of elephant tusks after members of the Hawks and Crime intelligence acted on information received from SARS Custom officials this afternoon. While on a routine inspection, SARS K9 officials spotted a suspicious activity at an airport storage facility, and upon further investigation they came across parcels indicating the presence of elephant tusks. After SAPS were notified, an operation was conducted which led to the discovery of 46 tusks concealed in two different containers.
The suspects, both from Cape Town are due to make a court appearance once they have been charged. The value of the seized items will be established at a later stage after the Department of Nature Conservation have taken various aspects into account, such as weight and age.
The circumstances surrounding the discovery are being investigated, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
Enquiries:
Lieutenant Colonel Andrè Traut
Tel: 021 417 7424
Cell: 083 300 1752
E-mail: wcmedia@saps.org.za
Two suspects arrested with 46 elephant tusks at an airport storage facility
