SAPS
Police in the Northern Cape arrested nine suspects for the illegal possession of protected plants.
A spokesperson for police Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock says the Springbok and Kuilsrivier Stock Theft and Endangered Species Units (STESU) conducted a joint operation in Elsiesrivier last week where they confiscated 3 500 Conophytum Achabense plants with a street value of R350 000.00.
According to the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), this particular plant species is extremely rare in the wild and is known to be exploited, utilised or traded.
It says if the plants are not protected they could go extinct.
Police also confiscated two vehicles and five cellphones allegedly used in the commission of the crimes.
The nine men are all from Springbok and will be charged with dealing/collecting/transporting and illegal possession of protected plants.
They are expected to appear in the Goodwood Magistrates Court this week.
