Cape Town – Five suspects have been arrested after police allegedly uncovered a live pangolin hidden inside a drum in the boot of a vehicle during a sting operation in Malmesbury, while in a separate operation officers seized drugs worth an estimated R120,000 in Goodwood.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the five suspects, aged between 28 and 53, were arrested on Friday, 17 July, following intelligence about the planned illegal sale of a pangolin at a petrol station along the N7 in Malmesbury.
According to police, officers received information that the exchange would take place at the filling station and launched a surveillance operation.
“The police were informed that the exchange would take place at a petrol station on the N7 in Malmesbury. They followed up on the information and waited at the meeting point until they spotted the maroon VW Polo,” SAPS said.
Police said the suspects parked at the back of the petrol station, where officers moved in and searched the vehicle.
“In the boot of the vehicle was a white drum containing a female pangolin,” police said.
The five suspects were arrested on charges of possession of an endangered species and are expected to appear in the Malmesbury Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 20 July.
Pangolins are among the world’s most trafficked mammals and are protected under South African law. The illegal trade in the species is driven by demand for their scales and meat.
In a separate, unrelated operation on Sunday, 19 July, members of the Anti-Economic Crime Task Team arrested a 41-year-old woman after allegedly discovering drugs worth approximately R120,000 at a house in Goodwood.
Police said officers acted on intelligence about suspected drug dealing and conducted a search of the property at about 07:40.
“They searched the premises and found 550 grams of crystal meth, 109 mandrax tablets and an undisclosed amount of cash,” SAPS said.
The woman was arrested on charges of possession of drugs and dealing in drugs.
She is also expected to appear in the Goodwood Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 20 July.
Police said both operations form part of ongoing efforts to combat environmental crimes and drug trafficking in the Western Cape.
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Picture: Facebook/SAPS
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
