A multi-disciplinary law enforcement team conducted a buy-and-bust operation after receiving a tip-off about a potential buyer that would purchase a pangolin for R250,000 in Kuruman.
FOUR suspects were expected to appear in the Kuruman Magistrate’s Court on Monday after they were arrested by a multi-disciplinary team comprising the Hawks’ Kuruman-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, the Kimberley Tactical Response Team, the Kimberley Flying Squad and the Kuruman Highway Patrol for the alleged illegal dealing in a pangolin.
Hawks regional spokesperson Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said the team conducted a buy-and-bust operation near the Ga-Segonyana traffic department on Saturday after receiving a tip-off about a potential buyer that would purchase a pangolin for R250,000.
“A live pangolin was rescued and a C180 Kompressor Mercedes-Benz that was used in the commission of an alleged crime was confiscated for further investigation,” said Mnisi.
She added that the male suspects, who were between the ages of 48 and 58, were expected to appear before the Kuruman Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of illegal dealing in pangolin and contravention of the National Environmental Management-Biodiversity (Nemba) Act 10 of 2004.
