/ 1 March 2012

Illegal ivory operation uncovered in Cape Town

A Chinese man has been arrested in Cape Town for possessing ivory and elephant tusks, Western Cape police said on Thursday.

Lieutenant colonel Andre Traut said the man was arrested at his business in Spearhead office park, Montague Gardens, on Wednesday evening.

He said SA Revenue Service (Sars) first discovered the consignment during a routine inspection at a courier company.

It was then delivered to the office park as part of an undercover operation by the Hawks, Sars and nature conservation officials.

There, they discovered more ivory products, elephant tusks and a cutting machine. — Sapa