Hawks bust three suspects in possession of firearms, rhino horns and tiger carcasses

NORTHWEST – The suspects are expected to appear at the Klerksdorp and Jouberton Magistrate’s Courts respectively today for illegal possession of firearms and contravention of the National Environment Management-Biodiversity (NEMBA) Act.

Their arrest follows an intelligence-driven operation by the Hawks’ serious Organised Crime Investigation unit with members of Crime Intelligence, National Intervention Unit and the Illicit mining group led to the arrest of three suspects aged 23, 35 and 43 in Klerksdorp and Hartbeesfontein on Tuesday.

The first suspect was arrested at a farm near Klerksdorp where he was found in possession of a hunting rifle, shotgun, revolver, pistol and a large number of empty cartridges and live ammunition.

Further probing into the discovered firearms led the investigative team to another farm in Hartbeesfontein where two additional suspects were arrested after an assortment of firearms and ammunition were found which included a rifle, hunting rifle, pistol and revolver. Additionally, hundred rhino horns were found, four tiger carcasses and one thousand US dollars. All exhibits were seized for further investigation.