SCORPION 'DEALERS' VASGEVAT

ON CHRISTMAS eve op en wakker cops made sure that six wrongdoers could not carry out their bose holiday plans.

In one incident, cops in Springbok arrested two suspects for the illegal possession of giftige insects like skerpioene.

The charges they are facing now are related to the illegal possession of endangered or protected species.

The value of about 100 scorpions amounts to approximately R160 000.

According to police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, the suspects are a 30-year-old man from

Bergsig and a 37-year-old man from Okiep, near Springbok. 

They were arrested after an operation was conducted in the Springbok area. The arrests stem from an investigation initiated after the suspects allegedly tried to smokkel a large number of scorpions, which are classified as protected species.

Through diligent police work and follow-up investigations, the suspects were vasgetrek. 

It is estimated that endangered scorpions kos between R1 600 to R3 000 on the black market.

The two, along with a third suspect from South Africa and a Taiwanese citizen, have since appeared in the Springbok Court. 

The suspects were charged under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004). They remain in custody until Monday, 29 December.

In an unrelated incident, the quick action of the Garies cops led to the confiscation of illegal Christmas-slaggoed from two cattle thieves. 

According to Ehlers, six suspects (aged between 18 and 47) were arrested on Friday, December 19, for alleged cattle theft.

Ehlers said: “At around 8.20pm, Garies cops on routine vehicle patrol responded to information, earlier received. According to the information, a vehicle was transporting allegedly stolen cattle.

“The vehicle, which matched the description, was spotted and stopped” 

During the search of the vehicle, five sheep (estimated street value of R10 000) were found in the back of the vehicle. 

The occupants could not provide a satisfactory verduideliking regarding the ownership or origin of the slaggoed, according to Ehlers.

All six suspects were consequently arrested, and the vehicle was impounded.