A 28-year-old man has been arrested by South African authorities after allegedly attempting to smuggle 150 live venomous scorpions through Cape Town International Airport in what officials described as an intelligence-driven wildlife trafficking operation.
The suspect was intercepted following a coordinated operation involving members of the Kuilsriver Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit alongside conservation officials from Cape Nature.
According to police, the arrest followed actionable intelligence indicating that a passenger transiting through the airport was in possession of illegally transported protected wildlife. A description of the suspect was circulated to security teams, leading to his identification and immediate arrest.
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, confirmed that officers discovered the concealed reptiles during a search of the suspect’s luggage.
“The suspect was found with 150 live scorpions concealed between his clothing in his bags. He was immediately arrested for possession of a wild animal under the Nature and Environmental Ordinance Act,” Twigg said.
Authorities said the man remains in custody and is expected to appear in court on Monday. Officials, however, have not disclosed his intended destination or whether he was acting alone or as part of a wider trafficking network.
In a separate statement, police reiterated that the arrest was made under the Nature and Environmental Ordinance Act, which criminalises the illegal possession and movement of protected wildlife species.
The recovered scorpions have since been transferred to a secured wildlife facility, where experts are currently assessing their condition and estimating their potential market value.
While South African law enforcement agencies are more commonly associated with cracking down on the trafficking of high-profile endangered species such as rhinos and elephants, officials warn that smaller creatures—including reptiles, arachnids, and insects—are increasingly being targeted by international wildlife trafficking syndicates due to rising demand in illicit exotic pet markets.
