Two men, 65 year old Jaromir Chvastek and 56 year old Tomas Malir were slapped with a hefty penalty for being illegally in possession of 1026 succulents in Bitterfontein.
On Wednesday, 7 September 2019, the two men were apprehended by the Malmesbury Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit and had their vehicle searched, which led to the discovery of the plants.
Following their plea of guilty, both were found guilty and sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for five years on 12 September 2019, in the Cape Town Regional court. They were also order to pay R500 000-00 each into the Criminal Asset Recovery Account.
The sentences are welcomed by SAPS and deemed as an appropriate warning against the contravention of the Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974.
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