Pic: Supplied
A 43-year-old man is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrates' Court on Monday after he was arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport on Friday.
The suspect – who was about to board a flight to Vietnam via Qatar Airways – was found with suspicious items in his luggage.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Bonnie Nxumalo said when the man’s luggage was opened, lion bones were discovered.
“The suspect was arrested when the Bidvest security guards at the airport discovered suspicious items in his luggage,” said Captain Nxumalo.
The Germiston-based Hawks’ Economic Protected Resources members were also alerted,” she said.
“Police further seized foreign currency, a cellphone and two passports. During the preliminary investigation, it was discovered that it is the carcasses of five lions.
The suspect will be charged for illegal dealing in wildlife, possession of lion bones and contravening the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NEMBA).”
Captain Nxumalo said the investigation to arrest more suspects was continuing.
