Police have arrested two Thai nationals for trafficking in African ivory, a crime that carries a maximum four-year jail sentence, police said on Tuesday.

Samat Chokechoima and Kanok Wongsarot were arrested on Monday in a sting operation in which Thai police posed as buyers of carved African ivory items, Police Lieutenant Colonel Thanayos Gengkasrikit, spokesperson of the Natural Resource and Environmental Crime Division said.

The suspects face a maximum of four years in prison and fines of up to 40 000 baht (R18 993) under Thailand’s Wild Animal Preservation and Protection Act.

The law protects species listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, and another fine up to 100 000 baht under the Customs Act for the import and export of illegal goods.

Source: iol.co.za