Parrot egg smuggler convicted in Kempton Park court
Animals seized in wildlife crime operations will benefit from a R300 000 payment ordered by a Gauteng court as part of a plea agreement over 50 smuggled parrot eggs.
A wildlife trafficker arrested at OR Tambo International Airport in August while attempting to smuggle 50 protected parrot species eggs out of the country was convicted in the Kempton Park Regional Court on Monday (November 2).
According to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), under a plea agreement, the accused was sentenced to a R500 000 fine or five years’ imprisonment, suspended for five years, subject to R300 000 being paid to the South African National Biodiversity Institute (Sanbi) for the care of animals seized during law enforcement operations.
The department said the arrest resulted from a joint operation led by the Green Scorpions, SAPS Crime Intelligence and SAPS Border Police, and supported by members of the SAPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit.
DFFE Minister David Maynier said the case showed what can be achieved through co-operation and co-ordination across law enforcement agencies.
Complex criminal networks
“Environmental crime is organised crime, and we will only be able to take down complex criminal networks with a joint approach to enforcing environmental law.”
Sanbi staff stepped in at short notice to care for the seized parrot eggs, and many hatched despite the conditions in which they were smuggled.
Maynier added that Sanbi experts’ support has been vital in presenting evidence for the case.
“The court’s ruling that funds must be paid to Sanbi is welcomed, and the DFFE will be pursuing similar requests in other cases where wildlife is confiscated.”
Second warrant issued
An arrest warrant has also been issued for a suspect identified during the first interception of 418 eggs at OR Tambo International Airport in July.
The Green Scorpions will continue investigating the wider trafficking network with support from other countries and international organisations.
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