Johannesburg – The suspect arrested at OR Tambo International Airport while attempting to smuggle 50 protected parrot species eggs out of the country has been convicted in the Kempton Park Regional Court.
The Thai national was convicted on Monday, 2 November 2026.
Under a plea agreement, the accused was sentenced to a R500 000 fine or five years’ imprisonment, suspended for a period of five years, subject to R300 000 being paid to the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) for the care of animals seized during law enforcement operations.
Commenting on the matter, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, David Maynier, said: “This case is an example of what can be achieved with cooperation and coordination across law enforcement agencies.
“Environmental crime is organised crime, and we will only be able to take down complex criminal networks with a joint approach to enforcing environmental law.”
SANBI staff stepped in at short notice to care for the seized parrot eggs, and many were able to hatch despite the conditions they were being smuggled in.
Their work also comes at a financial cost, as does the processing of evidence in the case.
Minister Maynier said: “The support of our experts at SANBI has been vital in presenting evidence for the case.
“The Court’s ruling that funds must be paid to SANBI is welcomed, and the DFFE will be pursuing similar requests in other cases where wildlife is confiscated.”
The arrest earlier this year in August 2026 of the Thai national was the result of a joint intelligence-driven operation led by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s Green Scorpions, the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence Unit, SAPS Border Police Unit, and SAPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit.
An arrest warrant has been issued for another suspect identified during the first interception of 418 eggs at OR Tambo Airport in July 2026.
“The Green Scorpions will continue the investigation into the wider trafficking network with the support of other countries and international organisations,” said Kerry Mauchline, spokesperson to the Minister Maynier.
