Array

Alleged Vietnamese Wildlife Trafficker Arrested In South Africa For Illegal Possession Of Lion Teeth, Claws, & Suspected Gelatin

A Vietnamese national has been arrested in connection with the illegal trade of wildlife and possession of a firearm following a raid in Bela-Bela and Pretoria, South Africa, on August 12th.

According to a statement from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the investigative team seized 4.19kg of lion teeth, 680g of lion claws, and more than 60kg of processed animal products believed to be lion gelatin.

The criminal has since been charged with illegal possession of a threatened species as per the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act.

The arrest of the suspect came after a four-month investigation involving analysts and wildlife investigators. The integrated team involved in the raid comprised of the Green Scorpions from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD), and SANParks, as well as members of the South African Police Service.

Search and seizure warrants were executed simultaneously at a Vietnamese-owned farm near Bela-Bela in Limpopo, as well as at two storage units in Pretoria.

While the suspect appeared in the Bela-Bela Regional Court on Friday, the case has been postponed to August 20th.

The collaborative nature of this operation has once again proven the importance of an integrated approach to investigations. The valuable assistance of the private sector in this matter is also highly appreciated.

You can help all animals and our planet by choosing compassion on your plate and in your glass. #GoVeg

More on this topic

Popular stories

Update! Adopted Dog Reunites With His New Forever Family After Being Stolen From NJ Animal Shelter On Christmas Eve

Monmouth County SPCA The adorable 9-year-old tawny-colored male Pomeranian that was stolen from a New Jersey animal shelter on Christmas Eve joyfully rang in the...

Urgent Signatures Needed To Help Rescue Animals That Were Abandoned After Zoo Closed Its Doors In Spain

Photo from Ayamonte Turismo Facebook Wild animals were born with the instincts that they need to help them survive and thrive in the wild. While these facts...

First Confirmed Wolf Sighting In Nevada Since 1922!

Following a months-long investigation by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), a wolf from the Shasta Pack of Northern California was confirmed to have...