Through an integrated effort with the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the Malmesbury Stock Theft and endangered species unit, five suspects were apprehended with three bags totalling 5 697 succulents.
According to a SAPS statement, the suspects were arrested after they were stopped and searched on the N7 close to Vanryhnsdorp. The succulents they had in their possession consisted of Conophytum, an especially endangered succulent.
With the growing popularity of succulents, Conophytums are in high demand now. These succulents only occur in small localised populations, which places them at risk of being collected to extinction in a couple of visits by a poacher.
The five apprehended suspects were charged with possession of endangered flora without documentation, and are expected to appear in the Malmesbury Magistrates court.
Picture: SAPS
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