By OBAKENG MAJE

A man (37) has been arrested and charged under the Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act 9/2009 Section 4, for the possession of endangered wild animals without a permit. Duston Gregory Henrico was nabbed by a joint operation involving the Springbok Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit and Springbok K9 Unit.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the police secured an arrest and the recovery of several alleged endangered reptiles. She said on 19 December 2023, the police received a tip-off and searched a premises.

“The police discovered 16 containers with 23 reptiles in a vehicle. A vehicle, camera, laptop and cellphone were also confiscated. The accused, who is from Gauteng, appeared briefly in the Pofadder Magistrate’s Court on 20 December 2023.

“He was released on bail to the amount of R5000. Henrico’s next appearance will be on 9 January 2024,” said Ehlers.

Meanwhile, the Namakwa District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Schalk Andrews, commended the police for their unabated efforts to eradicate poaching in the Namakwa District.

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