The SAPS plant detection dog “Delta” trained to detect succulent plants displayed his training during a police action in Springbok where two males were arrested for illegal possession of 1760 endangered plants.
A multi-disciplinary operation involving the Springbok Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit (STESU), Springbok Public Order Policing (POP) and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (Shadi Henrico, Esther Matthew and K9-Delta) was held on Friday, 13 October 2023 at approximately midnight.
The police stopped and searched a gold VW Polo and with the help of the K9-Delta confiscated a bag of Conophytum subterraneum plants and the motor vehicle.
The two males were arrested and charged under the Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act 9/2009 Sec 50 & 51 for illegal possession of endangered plants and will appear in court soon.
The Namakwa District Commissioner, Brig Schalk Andrews lauds the multi-disciplinary team for their unabated efforts and also thanked the SA Hunters and Game Conservation for their consistent assistance and efforts to eradicate succulent poaching in the Namakwa District and surrounding areas.
Content retrieved from: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=48970.
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