The suspects were allegedly collecting the plants in the mountainous region of the Achab Berg in the Pella area.
THE SPRINGBOK Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit (STESU), in partnership with the Pella police, Pofadder police and the Thorburn Security Company, arrested three men while they were allegedly collecting a protected plant species known as Conophytum Achabense.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Mashay Gamiedien said the suspects collected the plant species in the mountainous area of the Achab Berg in the Pella area.
“The collective team, under the command Captain Karel du Toit of the Springbok STESU, pounced on the suspects on July 7, 2021 after they followed up information about the incident. The team confiscated 1,100 plants, with an estimated street value of R100,000, that are sold on the black market,” said Gamieldien.
“The three suspects will appear in the Pofadder Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of contravening the Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act and possession of protected plants,” said Gamieldien.
