Four men allegedly trying to sell an endangered pangolin for R150 000, were arrested at Oakmore Railway Station along Pretoria Road on Tuesday.
The arrests were made during a joint operation between Benoni Flying Squad and National Crime Intelligence.
W/O Grant Giblin, spokesperson for Benoni Flying Squad, said around 2.30pm Warrant Officers Gustav Myburgh, Francois Jansen and Sgt Wessel Brits, with National Crime Intelligence, rescued the pangolin and arrested the men.
The men were driving a blue Colt Club Cab and the pangolin was stuffed in a blue back pack. It is alleged the suspects were trying to sell the animal for R150 000.
“It is unknown how much time the animal spent in the bag without food, water and free movement,” Giblin said.
The pangolin was inspected by a veterinary surgeon and handed over to a member of Johannesburg Wildlife Hospital.
The suspects, aged between 27 and 37, will appear in Tembisa Magistrate’s Court facing charges under the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act of 2004.
Another pangolin was recovered at Irene Mall on August 5 where one suspect was arrested.
