South Africa’s elite anti-corruption unit has arrested a Vietnamese nationwide allegedly linked to one of many nation’s most important wildlife trafficking investigations, stopping him simply moments earlier than he boarded a global flight.
Picture used for illustrative functions/Niu Niu/Unsplash
The 54-year-old suspect was arrested at Cape City Worldwide Airport on Tuesday, 24 February, as he tried to fly to Singapore along with his household. The arrest follows months of investigation into a global syndicate dealing in rhino horn and big-cat physique elements.
Hyperlinks to seized rhino horns and predator bones
The arrest warrant was issued after investigators linked the suspect to a December operation during which two Nigerian nationals had been present in possession of 17 rhino horns and greater than 26kg of lion and tiger bones at a storage facility in Kempton Park.
The case drew worldwide consideration late final yr when Singaporean authorities intercepted a number of unlawful wildlife shipments originating in South Africa. In November, officers at Singapore Changi Airport seized two consignments containing rhino horns, predator skulls and carcasses hid as business cargo.
In line with Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale, forensic investigations later matched the 17 rhino horns recovered in Kempton Park to a far bigger cache of horns that had been reported stolen throughout what authorities now imagine was a staged armed theft at a North West sport lodge.
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Suspected staged theft below scrutiny
The alleged theft befell at Voi Sport Lodge close to Hartebeesfontein, the place 98 rhino horns had been reported stolen. Investigators famous that the Vietnamese nationwide linked to the horns was not current on the property on the time of the incident.
A white Toyota Prado, suspected to have been used throughout the incident, was later traced to Woodhill Golf Property in Pretoria. The car was seized and examined for forensic proof.
DNA samples taken from each the car and the seized rhino horns had been submitted to the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory on the College of Pretoria. Outcomes are anticipated to be introduced when the accused returns to court docket subsequent week.
Courtroom appearances and co-accused
The suspect made his first look within the Bellville Regional Courtroom on Wednesday, 25 February, earlier than the matter was transferred to the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Courtroom. He stays in custody and can seem alongside two co-accused already going through costs associated to the possession of rhino horns and predator bones with out permits.
The sooner arrests stemmed from a managed supply operation coordinated by the Directorate for Precedence Crime Investigation, SARS and the Border Administration Authority, after Singaporean officers flagged a suspicious cargo destined for Southeast Asia.
A broader trafficking community
One of many intercepted consignments, labelled as furnishings fittings, contained 20 rhino horns and roughly 150kg of predator elements, together with enamel and claws. The cargo was certain for Vientiane, Laos, a recognized hub for unlawful wildlife commerce alongside the Mekong River.
Investigators imagine a number of the animal stays had been faraway from South Africa shortly earlier than the alleged theft at Voi Sport Lodge was reported.
The arrested suspect is linked to the South African operations of a Vietnamese-owned buying and selling firm with pursuits in sport farming and furnishings export. He has beforehand been related to controversial makes an attempt to export dwell rhinos to Vietnam, allow functions that had been in the end refused by South African environmental authorities.
Ongoing issues round rhino stockpiles
Wildlife crime specialists say the case as soon as once more highlights long-standing issues across the safety and oversight of personal rhino horn stockpiles.
Former Inventory Theft and Endangered Species Unit head Lieutenant Colonel Steve Roets has beforehand warned that many reported rhino horn thefts are staged incidents, pointing to insufficient storage practices and inconsistent audits by conservation authorities.
The investigation stays ongoing, with authorities indicating that additional arrests are attainable because the worldwide provide chain continues to be mapped.
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