A joint police operation has resulted in the arrest of four suspects after they were found in possession of three elephant tusks.

The arrest took place on Saturday on the N12 near Potchefstroom.

According to North-West police spokesperson Captain Aafje Botma, the arrest emanated from a follow-up made on intelligence received earlier that day.

“The information was operationalised and a Renault sedan was stopped by a team consisting of [the] Flying Squad, Crime Prevention and the Drug Task Team. Three elephant tusks were found in the boot of their vehicle,” states Botma.

The four suspects, aged between 38 and 53, made their first appearance in the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court yesterday to appear on charges related to the contravention of Section 88 of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004).

The SAPS also state that the investigation into the matter continues.