MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A joint operation led to the arrest of a man, allegedly in possession of 37 protected and other species of plants, near the Heiderand Mall, Mossel Bay, on Monday afternoon, 23 September.
The operation was conducted by the Worcester Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit with the Wildlife Crime Information Network (WCIN), Cape Nature, Mossel Bay Municipal Law Enforcement and the Mossel Bay Municipal K9 Unit.
The man was arrested for unlawful possession of plants. Police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies says the man was taken into custody at the Da Gamaskop Police Station and appeared in the Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court.
Spies says the man was released from custody on Tuesday, 24 September, and is expected to appear in court again on 22 October.
WCIN's Theresa Scholtz said the operation team found 12 bags of flora of 25 different species. She said one of the plants confiscated was an elephant's foot (Dioscorea elephantipes), estimated to be decades old.
WCIN has established a hotline that the public can use to report any wildlife crimes. WhatsApp or call WCIN (079 643 9556) or email report@wcin.org.za. Information provided will be treated as confidential.
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