Two suspects remain in custody for possession of rhino horns
The rhino horns and the vehicle were confiscated for further investigation.
Suspects Junior Chauke (49) and Prince Ntsako Letswele appeared in the Ermelo Magistrates Court on Friday, December 9, following their arrest on Thursday, December 8, by the Ermelo Police for possession of rhino horns.
The case was postponed to December 14, for profiling and a legal representative. Both suspects remain in custody.
The arrest came after the police received information about a vehicle with the occupants, who were in the possession of firearms, heading towards Ermelo.
Police spotted the vehicle in the direction it was coming from. The suspects tried to flee when they saw the police, but both were arrested.
The Secunda-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, was summoned to the crime scene.
The scene was handed over to the Hawks for processing.
The suspects were present when the vehicle, a white Toyota Fortuner, was searched.
Two big and two small rhino horns weighing 14.6kg and valued at R876 000, were found inside a plastic bag hidden in the engine compartment.
The rhino horns and the vehicle were confiscated for further investigation.
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