Johannesburg – Vigilant police officers at OR Tambo International Airport have uncovered rhino horn pieces weighing 10kg disguised as a sculpture destined for China.
Narrating how the police uncovered the contraband, police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe on Saturday, (19 October 2024), said police officers at the airport intercepted pieces of rhino horn at the cargo shipment warehouse area.
“The men and women in blue were conducting their daily routine operations when they inspected a warehouse and discovered a suspicious artistic sculpture,” Brigadier Mathe said.
“They scanned it, upon further inspection and grinding of the sculpture, discovered four pieces of rhino horn.”
However, Brigadier Mathe said no arrests have been made.
She said investigations were underway to establish the origins of the rhino horn.
Law enforcers were also verifying the destination address in China stipulated on the shipping label.
