Members of Mpumalanga Hawks followed a tip-off about suspects who bought rhino horns without permits from a farmer.
The information led to the arrest of two Chinese Nationals, Yansen Fenc, no Identification number and Liu Li Hong (32) who were found in possession of Rhino Horns bought from the farmer Deon Cornelius.
The Hawks team of investigators in Middelburg assisted by members of Middelburg K9 stopped the suspect who was travelling with a White Lexus on the gravel road, and upon the search underneath the panel below the boot a rhino horn was found attached to the chassis of the vehicle with cable ties.
Glass smoking pipe and Methaqualone were also found hidden in a tissue box.
Rhino horn valued to R 175 000, cash money close to R 24000 was seized from the Chinese Citizens and a another amount of R 675 000 from Mr Cornelius.
The money was registered in the exhibits book and deposited to the state account.
Follow-up investigations led to the arrest of other suspects involved in the illegal dealing in Rhino horn after the Specialized Prosecutor Mpumalanga issued warrants of arrest for three suspects.
Jozeph Albertus Du Plessis (71) and his wife Susanna Johanna Du Plessis (55) were arrested in Bainsvlei Bloemfontein, and Deon Cornelius(46), a Game Farmer in Middelburg who sold Rhino Horns to the Chinese was also arrested.
Cornelius had a permit to possess the horns but not to sell them.
Yansen Fenc was released on R50 000.00 bail and placed under house arrest.
The Du Plessis`s and Cornelius were released on R1000.00 bail each.
Liu Li Hong remanded in custody as she could not produce any travel documents as proof that she is legally in the country.
During follow up investigation by the DPCI elephant ivory was discovered in the room of Liu Li Hong in Mabopane Pretoria.
She will also face charges of ivory possession.
The case is postponed to Thursday, 25 January for a plea.
The Acting Provincial Head of Mpumalanga Hawks Brigadier Obed Ngwenya applauded the team for their determination.