Four suspects aged between 24 and 43 are expected to appear before the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday facing charges of illegal dealing and possession of pangolin.
The suspects were arrested on Sunday afternoon during a sting operation by the Serious Organised Crime Investigation in East Rand, at Flamingo shopping centre in Boksburg North.
It is alleged that the investigation team received intelligence regarding a group of men selling a pangolin in Daveyton. An operation was conducted where the suspects met with the potential buyer. The unharmed pangolin was handed back to The Department of Environment, Forestry & Fisheries which is responsible for protecting, conserving and improving the South African environment and natural resources.
The group has been charged for Contravention of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NEMBA).
