Singapore Imposes Record Sentence for Rhino Horn Smuggling
In a groundbreaking verdict, a Singapore court has sentenced South African national Gumede Sthembiso Joel to two years in jail for smuggling rhino horns.
This marks the most substantial penalty ever handed down in the city-state for the illicit trafficking of wildlife parts.
Arrest and Seizure at Changi Airport
Joel was apprehended at Singapore’s Changi airport in 2022 when authorities discovered 20 rhino horns weighing 34.7 kilograms in his bags.
The significant seizure, valued at approximately Sg $1.2 million (US$895,000), represented Singapore’s largest confiscation of rhino horns.
The discovery was made as Joel traveled from South Africa to Laos via Singapore, and sniffer dogs played a crucial role in detecting the contraband in his luggage.
Guilty Plea and Heaviest-Ever Sentence
The 33-year-old offender pleaded guilty to two charges related to transiting rhino horns without a valid permit.
Singapore’s National Parks Board (NParks) noted that this verdict represents the heaviest sentence ever imposed in the city-state for a wildlife smuggling case.
Forensic Analysis Reveals Rhino Species
Following forensic analysis, NParks determined that 18 horns originated from 15 distinct white rhinos, while the remaining two were from a single black rhino.
This revelation underscores the devastating impact of rhino poaching, as these animals are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), with international trade in their horns prohibited.
South Africa’s Poaching Challenges
South Africa, home to nearly 80 percent of the world’s rhinoceros population, continues to grapple with rampant poaching.
Driven by demand from Asia, particularly for the perceived medicinal properties of rhino horns, the country witnessed the killing of 448 rare animals in 2022, only marginally lower than the 2021 figures despite increased protection measures at national parks.
Rhino Horns as Status Symbols and Medicinal Beliefs
Rhino horns are coveted as status symbols and are believed to possess medicinal properties in certain parts of Asia.
Beyond their traditional uses, these horns are also carved into various items, including jewelry, combs, buttons, and belt buckles.
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