NORTHERN CAPE – An intelligence driven operation by the Hawks’ Wild Trafficking team and Green Scorpions from the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment resulted in an arrest of two suspects aged 23 and 50 for alleged dealing in endangered species in terms of Nature Conservation Act 9 of 2009.

These suspects were arrested earlier on Friday after information surfaced about suspects who were allegedly looking for a potential buyer for reptiles. A sting operation was conducted at Askham garage in Kalahari where these suspects were found in possession of protected valuable reptiles which includes, four tortoises and twenty eight lizards.

Members seized items that includes garmin GPS, three cellphones, endo scope and 6 gram of herion and the money used in the sting operation was also confiscated.

Both suspects are expected to appear before Upington Magistrate court on Monday, 22 November 2021. Additional charges will be added.

Source: South African Police Service