Two Chinese brothers will face various charges after allegedly attempting to bribe an official in a bid to smuggle diamonds, ivory and abalone worth R6-million out of the country.
The duo is expected to appear in Kempton Park and Pretoria magistrate’s courts on Monday.
Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi, Hawks spokesman, said a 48-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly offered an official R3 000 to check, process and authorise his brother’s passport on Thursday. The officer alerted the Hawks and an operation was conducted swiftly.
However, the flight had been delayed, giving the Hawks enough “time to pounce on him”.
The 36-year-old man was found in possession of a fraudulent passport. When authorities searched his bag polished diamonds, ivory, 10kg of wet abalone, a bag of dry abalone and a bag of ointment, which requires a doctor’s prescription, were found.
Mulaudzi said the brothers face charges of bribery, fraud, possession of diamonds, possession of ivory and possession of abalone.
