A two week long clandestine operation involving the Springbok Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit, Upington Crime Intelligence, Vioolsdrift Border Intelligence and Upington Technical Support units resulted in the arrest of a male suspect and the seizure of a large amount of Conophytum wettsteinii succulents in the Springbok area on Wednesday, 3 February 2021 at approximately 22:00.
The operation was executed in a veld area between Okiep and Steinkopf when undercover agents finalised the deal and the 40-year-old male suspect from Steinkopf was arrested after the transaction was finalized.
The Conophytum which is a genus of a South African succulent plant and is commonly known as knopies, cone plants or button plants where packaged in eight boxes and were handed over to the agents. The estimated value on the South African market is approximately R300 000-00.
The suspect was charged for contravening the Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act 9 of 2009 Sections 50 and 51 – the Possession of Protected Species and will soon appear in the Springbok Magistrates’ court.
The following SAPS units and components were involved in the execution of the operation namely Springbok Stock Theft and Endangered Species, Springbok K9, Springbok Highway Patrol and Springbok HRD (Human Resource Development).
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Major General Henriette De Waal applauded the collective efforts by the various units and components for the outstanding successes achieved which led to the seizure of hundreds of rands worth of succulents. The protection of our endangered fauna and flora is of utmost importance to the province.
