Four suspects were arrested after they were found in possession of protected plant species on the weekend.
FOUR suspects were arrested after they were found in possession of protected plant species on the weekend.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said on Sunday that the SAPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species units (STESU) in Springbok in the Northern Cape and Kuilsriver in the Western Cape followed up on information, which led them to meet with suspected dealers of protected plants at a mall in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town.
“On Friday, January 28, at about 3pm, the police agent found the four men in their vehicle at a parking lot, where STESU pounced on them. The police searched the vehicle and found 6,249 Conophytum and 2,726 Pelargonium rapaceum plants inside the car,” said Kock.
He added that the police confiscated the protected plants, four cellphones and the silver Ford Ranger bakkie that was allegedly utilised in the commission of a crime.
“The suspects will appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of illegal possession of protected plants. The investigation continues,” said Kock.
