The Hawks intercepted a rhino horn consignment enroute to Shandong, China at OR Tambo Airport on Thursday, 23 December.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) said a rhino horn consignment was intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport after a tip-off on Thursday, 23 December. The contraband was concealed in chocolate packaging and was destined for China. A single suspect was arrested.
RHINO HORN CONSIGNMENT FOUND IN CHOCOLATE BOXES
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase said the authorities received a tip from the cargo section of OR Tambo about a suspicious parcel destined for Shandong Province, China.
“The parcel was allegedly declared as Ferrero and Cadbury chocolates,” said Nkwalase.
Members of the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment headed to the scene after security officers working the scanners at the airport alerted the authorities after detecting the suspicious parcel.
The parcel was examined and six pieces of Rhino horn were found inside two Lunch Bar chocolate boxes.
“A thorough investigation by the Hawks led to the arrest of the suspect and an undisclosed amount of money was found hidden under the driver seat of his vehicle,” said the Hawks spokesperson.
The 46-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Kempton Park Court on Tuesday, 28 December on charges related to the contravention of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 (NEMBA).
The South African