A 46-year-old has been arrested in connection with a parcel intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport, which was found to contain six pieces of rhino horn concealed inside two chocolate boxes.
The parcel intercepted on Thursday at the cargo section was declared as “Ferrero and Cadbury chocolates”.
After alert officials operating scanners at the airport noticed the suspect items inside the parcel destined for Shandong province, China.
The security officials called in the Hawks and officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment to have a look at the suspected contraband.
Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase said: “Upon examining the parcel, the team found six pieces of rhino horn inside two chocolate boxes of lunch bar”.
Nkwalase added: “A thorough investigation by the Hawks led to the arrest of the suspect and an undisclosed amount of money was found hidden under the driver seat of his vehicle.”
The arrested man will spend Christmas behind bars and is only expected to appear at the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 28 December, on charges of contravening the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004.
