
Describe: Nicholas Georgiadis
Six men arrested while allegedly shopping for a purchaser for elephant tusks at King Shaka International Airport in Durban are expected to seem in court docket on Monday.
The men, aged between 27 and 40 years, were arrested on Thursday by a Hawks severe organised crime investigation crew in Durban for possession of elephant tusks and contravening the National Environmental Administration Biodiversity Act.
Hawks spokesperson Col Katlego Mogale stated an intelligence-driven operation turned into conducted at the airport, appearing on information about suspects with elephant tusks.
He stated three men were intercepted while utilizing into the airport and a search turned into conducted.
“Two elephant tusks were chanced on inside their automobile and they also were immediately arrested after they failed to present the reason for them possessing parts of endangered species. The recovered tusks weighed 8.1kg and contain an estimated aspect road price of R200,000,” stated Mogale.
Mogale stated the investigation led police to a lodge in Durban North where three extra men were arrested.
“Their automobile turned into seized for extra investigation. It turned into extra chanced on that the suspects were in Durban shopping for a purchaser of the tusks,” he stated.
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