S’Africa arrests two Nigerians over 17 rhino horns trafficking

South African authorities have arrested two Nigerian nationals in connection with a large wildlife trafficking operation in Gauteng. The raid was led by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s Wildlife Trafficking Section and involved the Border Management Authority (BMA) and South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs.

Investigators said the operation marked a significant breakthrough in intercepting illegal consignments bound for Southeast Asia. The consignment, originally intended for Singapore, was flagged as suspicious and returned to South Africa for further examination.

Authorities traced the shipment to a storage facility in Kempton Park, where a multi-agency team executed a search. Officials discovered four boxes containing 17 rhino horns weighing 55.4 kilograms.

In addition to rhino horns, the team recovered 26.2 kilograms of lion and tiger bones, skulls, and claws. The discovery highlights the scale of wildlife crime networks operating across borders.

The BMA confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and has not ruled out additional arrests. Authorities are working closely with both domestic and international partners to dismantle trafficking networks.

BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato commended the seamless coordination among the agencies involved. He emphasized the government’s commitment to combating wildlife trafficking, describing it as a serious threat to South Africa’s natural heritage.

Experts note that wildlife trafficking not only endangers species but also funds organized crime and undermines law enforcement efforts. Authorities are urging the public to report any suspicious activity related to wildlife shipments.

If convicted, the arrested Nigerians could face lengthy prison terms similar to previous offenders in South Africa. Past cases include Nigerian nationals convicted for human and wildlife trafficking-related offences, demonstrating the country’s firm stance against cross-border crimes.