A 30-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged for possession of a rhino horn. The horn found in his possession weighed 1.2kg and is worth R1.2-million.
The horn is worth R1.2-million. Credit: Facebook / SAPS
The Pietermaritzburg Flying Squad and K9 Unit conducted a joint operation on Friday, October 2 at 6.55am on the N3 freeway Southbound on Orthmann Road.
While they were busy with their duties, they spotted a black BMW vehicle travelling on the N3 freeway Southbound. The vehicle was searched and a rhino horn, which weighed 1,2kg, was found. The value of the rhino horn is R1, 2 million. The vehicle used in the commission of the crime was seized by police.
The 30-year-old suspect will appear at the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, October 5.
Despite having no medical or health benefits, rhino horn is used to ‘treat’ various ailments in traditional eastern medicine.
Rhino horn is predominantly made up of keratin, the same protein found in human fingernails and hair.
