Two in for allegedly possessing ivory
Police in Dedza in collaboration with the Wildlife Crime Investigation Unit from the National Police Headquarters have arrested two people for allegedly being found in possession of ivory.
In an interview yesterday, deputy national police spokesperson Thomeck Nyaude said the first suspect was arrested on August 7 2020 at Dedza Roadblock on his way to Lilongwe from Blantyre while the other suspect was nabbed the following day in Chikwawa after investigations.
He said police officers who searched the first suspect’s car found eight tusks of raw ivory.
“Upon questioning him on how he got the ivory, he mentioned the second suspect as his supplier,” said Nyaude.
He said the first suspect has been working as a Chinese interpreter for about eight years and is also suspected to have trafficked rhino horns to Namibia in 2017.
“Wildlife has been part of our tourism and has played a major role in various sectors of the economy, including education; hence, the need to guard and protect it,” he said.
In a separate interview, International Fund for Animal Welfare policy adviser for Africa Monica Musasa said much should be done to ensure that people have alternative sources of income.
She said: “If people have something to do, they can stop poaching and trafficking ivory.
“People should also learn the importance of caring for wildlife.”
The two will appear at Dedza Magistrate’s Court on August 17 to answer a charge of possessing specimens of listed species under Sections 86(1) and 110(b) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act of 2017.
