South Africa anti-poaching sting uncovers rhino horns
A South Africa anti-poaching operation resulted in the confiscation of 90 pounds of rhino horn, officials said Saturday. Two suspects were arrested in the South Africa anti-poaching sting.
In this photo taken Monday, Oct. 13, 2014, a white Rhino from Kube Yini Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal is captured and moved to a truck after its partner was killed by poachers near the town of Hluhluwe, South Africa. South African police say they have arrested two Vietnamese and confiscated a large number of rhinoceros horns as part of an anti-poaching operation.
Robin Clark/AP
JOHANNESBURG
South African police have arrested two Vietnamese and confiscated a large number of rhinoceros horns as part of an anti-poaching operation, authorities said Saturday.
The suspects were detained Friday night while in transit at Johannesburg's main international airport, police said in a statement. The men had left Mozambique and were on their way to Vietnam, and their bags contained 41 kilograms (90 pounds) of rhino horn, which would be worth a fortune on the illegal market, according to the statement.
Police believe the horns came from rhinoceros in South Africa, which is struggling to stop a surge in rhino poaching. The Vietnamese suspects will appear in court on Monday, and authorities said they will investigate any South African links to what they allege is an international poaching syndicate.