Hawks dismantle multi-million rand transnational Rhino horn network
A seven-year investigation by the Hawks’ Wildlife Tracking Unit uncovered a fraudulent scheme involving 164 rhino horns, destined for illegal markets in Southeast Asia.
Picture: Pixabay.com
JOHANNESBURG - The Hawks have made a major breakthrough in dismantling a transnational rhino horn trafficking network worth millions of rands.
A seven-year investigation by the Hawks’ Wildlife Tracking Unit uncovered a fraudulent scheme involving 164 rhino horns, destined for illegal markets in Southeast Asia.
A seven-year investigation by the unit resulted in the arrest of six people, five men and one woman, who appeared before the Pretoria Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning.
They face charges of fraud, theft, and contravention of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act.
In a statement, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dion George, said the arrests are a decisive victory in South Africa’s fight against international wildlife crime.
George welcomed the progress of the Hawks in dismantling the international rhino horn syndicate, claiming it’s clear that the Hawks are making progress on cracking down on international syndicates responsible for the poaching of wildlife in South Africa.