Two men arrested for illegal possession of elephant tusks and firearms
The two were arrested by members of the Hawks’ Wildlife Trafficking Unit in conjunction with members of the Nelspruit SAPS Crime Intelligence on Wednesday.
MBOMBELA – Johan Cox (41) and Hendrick Bernardus Elvis (32) appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court yesterday for illegal possession of elephant tusks and firearms in Sunrise View, Mbombela.
According to Capt Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, information was received of two individuals who were allegedly in possession of elephant tusks.
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The joint team immediately acted on the information and conducted a search and seizure operation at the suspects’ premises which resulted in the confiscation of six elephant tusks and five illegal firearms which were concealed inside a trailer.
Sekgotodi mentioned in a statement, “Investigations are under way to determine the origin of the tusks and the confiscated firearms to see if they were used in the commission of any crime. Elvis and Cox will appear again in the same court today for a formal bail application.”
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