Police action puts five behind bars for protected plants

Garies Police with the assistance of the farming community followed up on information and arrested 5 adult male suspects for illegal possession and transportation of protected plants.

On 22 April 2022 at about 00:10 Sgt JH De Waal and Cst JH Isaacs with the assistance of Agriforum members and the local farmers caught up with alleged poachers when police stopped their suspicious-looking vehicle near Garies.

The vigilant team noticed a bag tossed out of the vehicle by the suspects and this resulted in the confiscation of 2060 Conophytum plants.

Police also confiscated 4 cellphones and the Toyota Etios as it was allegedly utilized in the commission of a crime.

The Acting District Commander for Namakwa, Col Schalk Andrews commended the team for their professional and relentless efforts in eradicating poaching of protected plants in the Cluster.