TWO Nigerian men have been arrested in South Africa in connection with an alleged international wildlife trafficking operation after police discovered 17 rhino horns and large quantities of big cat remains at a Kempton Park storage facility.
The Hawks’ Wildlife Trafficking Section, working with multiple law enforcement agencies, arrested the suspects, aged 34 and 35, on Sunday following intelligence about rhino horns being smuggled from South Africa through Singapore to Laos.
Authorities seized 17 rhino horns weighing 55.4kg, along with lion and tiger bones, claws and a skull weighing 26.2kg. Two vehicles suspected of being used in the operation were also confiscated.
The arrests followed the interception of a consignment that had been returned to its sender from Singapore. Armed with a warrant, an integrated team comprising the Hawks, SOCI Vaal Rand, Counter Intelligence, Border Management Authority, SARS/Customs and other agencies searched the storage facility on 1 December.
The suspects are scheduled to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of contravening Section 57(1) of the National Environmental Biodiversity Act.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Singo said the investigation is ongoing and further arrests have not been ruled out.
The operation represents the latest effort by South African authorities to combat wildlife trafficking networks targeting the country’s endangered species for Asian markets.
