A South African man, identified as Gumede Sthembiso Joel, 33, was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment on January 26 after pleading guilty to two charges under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act1 (“ESA”) for transiting in Singapore with rhinoceros horns without a valid permit. This is the heaviest sentence meted out in Singapore to date for a case involving the smuggling of wildlife parts.
The man was intercepted on 4 October 2022, at the Changi Airport by the National Parks Board. The government body seized 20 pieces of rhinoceros horns that were being smuggled through the facility.
Airport security and NParks’ K9 Unit2 detected and inspected two boxes and found 34.7 kg of rhinoceros horns, worth an estimated SGD 1,200,140.79 (USD 843,210).
The accused, who was travelling from South Africa to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic through Singapore, was immediately arrested and the rhinoceros horns were seized by NParks.
During the course of investigations, NParks, with support from Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) of the Singapore Police Force and INTERPOL, deployed officers to South Africa for further investigations and evidence analysis. The successful conclusion of these investigations was the result of close cooperation between NParks, CAD, South African Police Service and INTERPOL.
The multi-national joint investigations revealed that the accused was acquainted with compatriot Jaycee Israel Marvatona, whom the accused knew to be involved in the illegal rhinoceros horn trade. Sometime in or before September 2022, Jaycee requested the accused to transport rhinoceros horns from South Africa to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic through Singapore. The accused agreed to do so in return for flight tickets and cash from Jaycee.
On the morning of 3 October 2022, the accused complied with Jaycee’s instructions and proceeded to check-in the boxes before boarding the flight to Singapore.
After examination by NParks’ Centre for Wildlife Forensics, 18 pieces of horns were identified to be from 15 different White Rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum), while the remaining two pieces of horns were identified to be from one Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis). Rhinoceroses are Appendix I species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and international trade in rhinoceros horns is prohibited.
Dr Anna Wong, Acting Senior Director of Wildlife Trade, NParks, said: “The illegal wildlife trade threatens the survival of endangered species, contributes to habitat destruction and harms biodiversity around the world. Singapore is a signatory to CITES and is committed to international efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade to ensure the long-term survival of these animals. NParks adopts a multi-pronged approach to enforce against the illegal wildlife trade. This includes working with partner agencies such as the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to conduct checks at our border checkpoints.
“To further deter the illegal wildlife trade both internationally and domestically, we introduced several amendments to the ESA, including stiffer penalties for illegal trade in CITES-protected species. NParks is actively enforcing these laws, carrying out surveillance at physical marketplaces, monitoring online marketplaces, and taking enforcement action. We will continue with such efforts and urge the public to play their part as well by not purchasing wildlife parts and products, as demand is the key impetus for the illegal wildlife trade,” Dr Wong added.
Under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, the penalties for the possession of CITES-scheduled Appendix I species transiting through Singapore without a valid CITES permit are a fine not exceeding SGD 50,000 for each scheduled species in transit in Singapore (not exceeding SGD 500,000) and/or up to 2 years’ imprisonment.
The same penalties apply to those possessing or transporting CITES-scheduled Appendix I species, including their parts and derivatives.
