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Six people have been arrested for dealing in pangolin during a Hawks sting operation in Midrand, Gauteng.
The suspects, aged 30 to 43, were arrested on Wednesday afternoon.
"A multidisciplinary sting operation led by the Hawks' Wildlife Trafficking team involving the Pretoria-based National Intervention Unit, Pangolin Africa, which is attached to the University of Pretoria, and Midrand detectives resulted in the arrest of six suspects at Kyalami Corner," Hawks spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said.
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"The unsuspecting syndicate… was pounced upon when they were in the process of looking for a buyer for one of the most protected and vulnerable species," Ramovha said.
During the operation, police seized a live pangolin, as well as two vehicles and several cellphones.
The group will face charges of dealing in and possession of a pangolin in contravention of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act. They were expected to appear in the Midrand Magistrate's Court on Friday.
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