150 live venomous scorpions found hidden in man's clothes and luggage at airport, South Africa police say

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   150 venomous scorpions found in man’s luggage at Cape Town airport; arrest made

   A 28-year-old man was arrested at Cape Town International Airport after police discovered 150 live venomous scorpions hidden in his clothes and luggage. The scorpions were individually wrapped in plastic and concealed within his suitcase. He faces wildlife trafficking charges, with court proceedings pending. No injuries were reported. The arrest followed a joint operation by South African police and conservation authorities.

   What's confirmed:

   • Police confirmed the scorpions were alive and concealed between clothing packed inside the suspect’s suitcase.
   • The arrest resulted from an intelligence-led operation by the SAPS Kuils River Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit and CapeNature.
   • No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
   • The suspect faces charges related to wildlife trafficking, with court proceedings ongoing.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The scorpions were individually wrapped in plastic (source: single police statement).
   confidence 92%
2. 3h ago

   150 venomous scorpions found in man’s luggage at Cape Town Airport; suspect arrested

   A 28-year-old man was arrested at Cape Town International Airport after police discovered 150 live venomous scorpions hidden in his clothes and luggage. Authorities say the scorpions were individually wrapped in plastic. The suspect faces charges related to wildlife trafficking, though no injuries were reported. Court proceedings are pending.

   What's confirmed:

   • A 28-year-old man was arrested at Cape Town International Airport after police found 150 live venomous scorpions concealed in his luggage.
   • The scorpions were hidden between his clothes and wrapped individually in plastic.
   • No injuries were reported during the incident.
   • The suspect is expected to appear in court, though no charges have been publicly confirmed beyond the arrest.
   • Authorities have raised concerns about wildlife trafficking and the illegal trade of potentially endangered species.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The incident may have been part of a sting operation, though details remain limited and unconfirmed.
   • The scorpions were described as 'deadly' in one report, but venomous species were confirmed by multiple sources without specifying lethality.
   confidence 95%
3. 6h ago

   150 venomous scorpions found in man’s luggage at Cape Town airport; suspect arrested

   South African authorities arrested a man at Cape Town Airport after discovering 150 live venomous scorpions hidden in his clothes and luggage. The incident has been described as a sting operation by some reports, though details remain limited. The suspect is expected to appear in court. No injuries were reported.

   What's confirmed:

   • South African police arrested a man at Cape Town Airport after finding 150 live venomous scorpions hidden in his clothes and luggage.
   • The suspect is expected to face court proceedings.
   • No injuries or bites were reported during the discovery.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The operation was a deliberate sting by authorities, though this has not been officially confirmed.
   • The suspect has been nicknamed 'Scorpion King' by media, but this has not been verified by police.
   confidence 95%