ESPU's Operation Jurassic Clamps Down on Cycad Smugglers. (30 July, 1998)

The Endangered Species Protection Unit (ESPU) was established ten years ago to stop the illegal trade in ivory and rhino horn. It soon expanded its activities to include illegal trade in other endangered species as the Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), George Fivaz, declared that any criminal conduct regarding an endangered species was a crime requiring national prevention and investigation. 

This weekend saw the culmination of Operation Jurassic, an eighteen month, high-risk and costly undercover investigation by the ESPU to infiltrate and destroy a syndicate involved in the smuggling of cycads. Cycads belong to an endangered and specially protected indigenous plant species which is about 60 million years old. The smuggling and collection of cycads are multi-million rand industries in South Africa. One cycad dealer said that he made a net profit of R1,6 million in 1997. During Operation Jurassic, the investigation team identified and infiltrated a number of syndicates using well-established structures and routes to conduct their illegal activities and operated mainly in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Northern Province and Mpumalanga. These areas contain the largest number and variety of cycads.

Transactions between the investigation team and the smugglers were carried out and 164 cycads to the value of R300 000 were recovered as well as vehicles and other equipment. When the operation terminated, thirteen arrests were made and thirteen case dockets are currently being investigated against these syndicates. A member of the South African Police Service was also arrested. The illegal trade in abalone was also uncovered during the operation and abalone to the value of R36 000 was recovered by the investigation team. 

This is a mere indication of the onslaught on the cycad population which is already under severe pressure due habitat destruction and unfavourable conditions for reproduction. 

In Alexandria, Gonubie, Boknes and Kenton-on-Sea, eleven suspects were arrested and two in Gauteng. Despite the above success, the total onslaught cannot be truly reflected. Due to increasing financial pressure and a personnel shortage, all the leads received by the ESPU cannot be followed up. Organisations enforcing nature conservation legislation are experiencing the same difficulties. 

Cycad species smuggled illegally include the following: 

• Encephalartos altensteinii 
• E. transvenosus 
• E. senticosus 
• E. arenarius 
• E.natalensis 
• E. latifrons 
• E. inopinus 
• E. trisponosus 
• E. caffer 

The involvement and dedication of the following organisations ensured that Operation Jurassic was a success:  The surveillance Units of the SAPS The reservist Unit of the ESPU under command of inspector Mark Courtney Law enforcement officers of nature Conservation in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Northern Province The offices of the Attorney-General in Eastern Cape, Johannesburg and Pretoria The Organised Crime officer in Pretoria 

"We extend our gratitude to them for their assistance and help and congratulate the agents and investigation team on an excellent operation. This is a warning to illegal dealers in wildlife products that they are under constant scrutiny by the ESPU and our collegues in governmental nature conservation organisations."

Smugglers can expect a maximum fine of R100 000 or ten years imprisonment or both.

For further information and enquiries, please contact Captain Petronel Nieuwoudt on 082 808 7097 or Tel: (012) 803 9900/7. Own correspondent.

Note: This article was originally published on the WildNet Africa website and is reprinted here with permission.

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