The suspects were arrested during a sting operation and found in possession of reptiles with a street value of R80 000.
Two suspects were arrested by the Hawks Wild Trafficking team and Green Scorpions Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment in Askham for allegedly dealing in endangered species during an intelligence driven operation.
Hawks provincial spokesperson Nomthandazo Mnisi said on Saturday a 23 and 50-year-old suspect was arrested in terms of the Nature Conservation Act 9 of 2009.
“The 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 the Kalahari where these suspects were found in possession of reptiles with a street value of R80 000.”
She added that items including a Garmin GPS, three cellphones, an endoscope and six grams of heroin with an estimated street value of R19 500 and an entrapment catch were also confiscated.
Both suspects are expected to appear in the Upington Magistrate’s Court on Monday November 22.
” Additional charges will be added,” Mnisi said.
