A 59-year-old suspected pangolin dealer was arrested in Gravelotte outside Tzaneen, Limpopo on Wednesday, 17 May.

The team received a tip-off about a suspect who was allegedly on the way to sell a pangolin in Hoedspruit. Without any waste of time, the team followed up on the information and a suspicious vehicle was spotted in Gravelotte.

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Upon stopping and searching the suspicious vehicle, the team found a pangolin valued at R150 000 hidden in the boot inside the bag. The suspect failed to produce a permit for being in possession of a pangolin and was immediately placed under arrest.

HAWKS ARREST PANGOLIN DEALER

The arrest came in collaboration with CIC National Security, D-Dass and Hoedspruit Farmawatch.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Namakgale Magistrate Court. He faces charges relating to illegal dealing in endangered species (pangolin)