Nine apprehended in Cape Town for possession of protected plants

Nine suspects are expected to appear in the Goodwood Magistrate’s Court soon after they were found to be in possession of protected plants.

According to the Northern Cape’s provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock, police members from the Springbok and Kuilsriver Stock Theft and Endangered Species Units (STESU) successfully conducted a joint buy and bust operation.

He said the operation took place last week Thursday, in Elsies River in the Western Cape and that Police confiscated 3 500 Conophytum Achabense plants worth approximately R200 000 and Conophytum Fredericea plants with an estimated street value of R150 000.

Police also confiscated a VW Polo, an Opel Kadett and five cell phones that were allegedly utilised in the commission of these crimes

PICTURE: SAPS

Done by Lizeka Tsotetsi