Operation Ringleader leads to arrest of 12 suspected kingpins in rhino poaching
by Gareth Wilson,
2015-11-26 12:43:04.0
A HAWKS-led operation led to the arrest of 12 suspects‚ including three police officers‚ for alleged rhino poaching.
The suspects were arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday in a multidisciplinary and intelligence-led operation in two provinces.
Operation Ringleader was conducted in conjunction with Crime Intelligence‚ the Department of Environmental Affairs‚ the South African Police Service Forensic Science Laboratory and the National Prosecuting Authority.
The suspects were arrested in Gauteng and the North West‚ and are expected to appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on charges of money laundering and racketeering as contained in the Prevention of Organised Crime Act‚ possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition‚ and corruption.
The high-flying group has been the subject of an investigation since 2013 and is alleged to have contributed to the illegal poaching of rhinos and illicit dealing in rhino horns in Klerksdorp‚ Rustenburg‚ Pretoria and Johannesburg.
During the operation‚ 13 illegal firearms (eight rifles and five pistols)‚ three small scales‚ an electrical hacksaw‚ four rhino horns‚ chopped rhino horns‚ R1.1m in cash and eight luxury vehicles were found and confiscated.
The value of the seized items‚ including the money‚ is estimated at R6m.
The national head of the Hawks‚ Lt-Gen Mthandazo Ntlemeza‚ commended the multidisciplinary team for sterling work in securing the arrest of the alleged rhino poaching syndicate ringleaders and police members.
"We are pleased with the arrest and resultant confiscations. This successful operation yet again illustrates the good working relationship we have with our stakeholders," Lt-Gen Ntlemeza said.
"I want to warn poachers that the Hawks will leave no stone unturned in the fight against rhino poaching and we will ensure that poachers are brought to book and convicted. The broom is still sweeping. This operation is continuing until all syndicates are wiped out."
TMG Digital/The Herald
Picture: SUNDAY TIMES
A HAWKS-led operation led to the arrest of 12 suspects‚ including three police officers‚ for alleged rhino poaching.
The suspects were arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday in a multidisciplinary and intelligence-led operation in two provinces.
Operation Ringleader was conducted in conjunction with Crime Intelligence‚ the Department of Environmental Affairs‚ the South African Police Service Forensic Science Laboratory and the National Prosecuting Authority.
The suspects were arrested in Gauteng and the North West‚ and are expected to appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on charges of money laundering and racketeering as contained in the Prevention of Organised Crime Act‚ possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition‚ and corruption.
The high-flying group has been the subject of an investigation since 2013 and is alleged to have contributed to the illegal poaching of rhinos and illicit dealing in rhino horns in Klerksdorp‚ Rustenburg‚ Pretoria and Johannesburg.
During the operation‚ 13 illegal firearms (eight rifles and five pistols)‚ three small scales‚ an electrical hacksaw‚ four rhino horns‚ chopped rhino horns‚ R1.1m in cash and eight luxury vehicles were found and confiscated.
The value of the seized items‚ including the money‚ is estimated at R6m.
The national head of the Hawks‚ Lt-Gen Mthandazo Ntlemeza‚ commended the multidisciplinary team for sterling work in securing the arrest of the alleged rhino poaching syndicate ringleaders and police members.
"We are pleased with the arrest and resultant confiscations. This successful operation yet again illustrates the good working relationship we have with our stakeholders," Lt-Gen Ntlemeza said.
"I want to warn poachers that the Hawks will leave no stone unturned in the fight against rhino poaching and we will ensure that poachers are brought to book and convicted. The broom is still sweeping. This operation is continuing until all syndicates are wiped out."
TMG Digital/The Herald
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