GAUTENG - The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) General Fannie Masemola has applauded a multidisciplinary team established to prevent and clamp down on illicit activities at the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) for their vigilance.

At about 12:36 on Thursday afternoon, a security official at the Airport alerted police to suspicious looking items in a hand luggage that had been carried by a man who was destined for Singapore.

Upon further investigation and interrogation of the suspect, police found rhino horns weighing 26kg in the man's hand luggage. The horns were seized and the 41-year-old man was arrested by members of the South African Police Service.

Two cellphones found in the possession of the suspect were also confiscated.

The man will appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on Monday to face a charge of contravention of the Biodiversity act 10 of 2004 which prohibits the illegal trade of the rhinoceros horn.

Source: South African Police Service