South Africa’s “Hawks” anti-poaching squad has broken up another major rhino poaching syndicate. The question is whether they can bring them to trial. The Hawks made a similar splash when they busted the “Musina Mafia” poaching gang in 2010, but the suspects have yet to come to trial four years later.
Here’s the story on the new arrests, from The Citizen:
The accused, wearing a white collared shirt and black formal pants, exited the court building cuffed hand and foot.
The arrest formed part of an operation led by the Hawks, who pounced on the alleged gang boss and nine other syndicate members simultaneously in various parts of the country during an arrest mission.
The alleged head of the syndicate was nabbed in front of court as he was due to appear on charges of illegal possession of scheduled substances and firearms.
The Citizen learnt that among the members arrested is the alleged right-hand-man, a Warrant Officer for the Organised Crime Unit in Pretoria, as well as the alleged kingpin’s wife, attorney, brother, a pilot and a professional poacher.
Nine of members of the syndicate were arrested, while one