Police smash rhino horn poaching syndicate that supplied black market

A SOUTH African rhino poaching syndicate broken up this week is believed to be a major supplier of illegal horns to the international black market.

Rhino poaching has increased this year, owing to booming demand and rising prices for rhino horn from increasingly rich Asian markets, where it is used as a medicine.

Nine people were arrested on Monday, including a businessman and two vets who police said were involved in several hundred incidents of rhino poaching.

"The businessman and the vets are … considered to be the masterminds of the syndicate," police said in a statement. "Detectives have identified other syndicates and are close to bringing more of these culprits to book."

Police said 204 rhinos had been killed this year, up from the 122 killed in all of 2009, and despite South Africa setting aside more funds for rangers, equipment and policing to crack down on the cross-border crime.

The price of rhino horn has risen to 36,000 a kilogram.