KK police arrest two for possessing ivory

Police in Nkhotakota have arrested two men for allegedly possessing two pieces of ivory.

The arrest coincided with that of two men of Zambian origin arrested yesterday in Mchinji, also for alleged trafficking of ivory.

Nkhotakota Police deputy spokesperson Paul Malimwe identified the suspects as Hussein Mwale, 38, of Kucherachera Village and Stedius Banda, 31, of Nthanje Village, both from the area of Senior Chief Malengachanzi in the district.

He said it is alleged that in January this year the two suspects entered  Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve and killed an elephant.

“On April 13 this year, police were informed that some people at Nthanje Village were selling pieces of raw ivory. We made a follow-up and arrested the two suspects. We also seized the ivory weighing 10 kilogrammes ,” Malimwe said.

He said the two will appear in court soon to answer charges of killing species without permit, entering a protected area, possession of protected species and illegal possession of firearms.

In January this year, police in Lilongwe arrested Robin Chiosha for alleged possession of two tusks of ivory wighing 6.5 kiligrammes valued at K9.7 million.

Last year government burned pieces of ivory it confiscated from poachers to underscore  commitment to protect wildlife.