The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) has arrested 11 suspected in connection with 11 black rhino carcasses discovered in the Etosha National Park at the beginning of June 2022.

A media statement issued on Saturday by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) said the suspects were arrested through an intensified and intelligence-driven joint operation and investigation with NamPol due to increased poaching, bringing to 22 the number of rhinos poached thus far in 2022.

The statement said the joint operation confiscated two vehicles, five rifles, ammunition, axes, knives as well as cash nearing N.dollars 50 000 found in the accused persons’ possession. The statement further noted that the items are subject to in-depth investigations to establish positive links with the carcasses discovered in the Etosha National Park.

It further noted that all the 11 accused persons are remanded in custody and their cases were postponed to 24 August 2022, 10 August 2022 and 03 October 2022

in Ondangwa, Tsumeb and Okahao magistrate’s courts.

“This is a clear indication that the joint law enforcement operations between the MEFT, NamPol, Namibia Defense Force (NDF) and intelligence and investigations through the Blue Rhino Task Force is producing results. This should serve as a caution to poachers that they may be successful in killing the rhinos or other wildlife species, but the relentless law enforcement officials will definitely catch them,” it cautioned.

The statement also indicated that the law was amended to increase penalties for poaching of rhinos from N.dollars 20 000 to N.dollars 25 000 fine and that prison sentences have risen to 25 years from 20 years.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency