South Africa arrests two Vietnamese for possessing rhino horns
Two Vietnamese men have just been arrested by South African police for possessing 41 kg of rhino horn and are expected to be tried on multiple charges.
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| 41 kg of rhino horns confiscated by South African police from two Vietnamese at Johannesburg airport. Photo: AFP |
According to Reuters, the two Vietnamese were arrested last night while transiting at the international airport in the South African capital Johannesburg. They had just left neighboring Mozambique and were on their way back to Vietnam.
The Qatar Airways flight was scheduled to take an hour to transit, but police have asked passengers to leave the plane for investigation, based on a "reliable source".
They discovered in the bags of the two suspects over 41kg of rhino horn, believed to have originated from parks in South Africa. "This is the largest amount of rhino horn seized in a single operation in South Africa," the police and customs statement said.
The two Vietnamese, aged 25 and 26, are currently in police custody and are scheduled to appear in court on November 3. They could be charged with transporting, possessing and trading in endangered species. Police will also investigate whether they are linked to South African accomplices in an international poaching syndicate.
Rhino numbers in Africa are in sharp decline due to poaching. Their horns are particularly sought after in Asian countries, where many believe they are a symbol of prestige and have medicinal properties.
More than 900 rhinos have been killed in South Africa so far this year, up from more than 1,000 in 2013. South Africa has an estimated 20,000 rhinos, the most in Africa.
Theo-Vnexpress
