Custom officials at the Hong Kong International Airport confiscated a reported 82.5kg of rhino horn worth R29 million that was smuggled from South Africa this month.
In an official statement, the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) said the rhino horn was found before it reached its final destination.
‘The 82.5kg of rhino horn has allegedly been smuggled from South African in a shipment marked as vehicle parts and was destined for Malaysia,’ the statement reads.
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The rhino horn was reportedly intercepted by officials at the Hong Kong International Airport after they received a tip-off. After the package went through an x-ray system in customs, the officials spotted the rhino horn.
‘Hong Kong customs have indicated that this is the single largest haul of endangered species products in five years.’
No arrests have yet been made. The DEA is grateful for the efforts of the Hong Kong officials but this recent incident has raised alarm bells regarding the surveillance of items leaving the country.
‘However, it remains a concern that these consignments are not being detected and seized before they leave South Africa and a review of the measures in place to make such detections is urgently required in order to continue to adapt to the shifts in the modus operandi of the syndicates involved in this transnational crime.’
In an effort to determine whether or not the smuggled rhino horn is linked to any ongoing or unresolved poaching investigations, the DEA is working with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation in Hong Kong to gather DNA samples of the horns.
Members of the public are encouraged to report any activity surrounding rhino poaching or environmental crimes to the Department’s hotline on 0800 205 005 or to call 10111.
Feature picture: Pixabay
