CAPE TOWN- Yet another suspect has been nabbed for alleged dealing in succulent plants.
A 49-year-old suspect was arrested at the Cape Town International Airport on Friday following a police tip-off that he was going to export two boxes of endangered succulents.
He is expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for the possession of the two boxes of plants.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said a tip-off that the plants were going to be exported led to an integrated operation between SAPS Malmesbury, Kuilsrivier Stock Theft and Endangered Species Units, Cape Nature, Crime Intelligence and DAFF.
"An intelligence-led operation was conducted and a 49-year-old suspect was arrested at Cape Town International Airport for the possession of two boxes of endangered succulent plants.
"Subsequent to his arrest, the suspect took the members to a premises in Kenilworth where they confiscated additional succulent plants aged between 50 and 100-years-old.
"The suspect is due to appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of illegal possession of flora without documentation," Van Wyk said.
Earlier in March, four suspected succulent plant poachers were nabbed at Ratelgat on the N7.
Members of Nuwerus SAPS, Malmesbury Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit and Cape Nature responded to information and apprehended the four suspects aged 22, 27, 39 and 40, carrying two bags.
Upon a search of the bags the members found an undisclosed amount of endangered succulent plants in their possession.
The suspects appeared in the Vredendal Magistrate’s Court and the matter was postponed for a formal bail application.
Cape Times