(Posted 11th February 2025)
Courtesy of African Elephant News and Club of Mozambique
Police in Mangochi have arrested two Malawian nationals and one Mozambican for illegal possession of elephant ivory at Majuni Trading Centre on the evening of February 6, 2025.
The suspects have been identified as Amidu Saini, 46, Abdul Chibwana, 42, and Issa Jimu, 33, a Mozambican national.
Detectives received a tip-off from the community that the trio was offering pieces of elephant ivory for sale at Majuni Trading Centre.
Acting on the information, the detectives, in collaboration with General Duties officers, rushed to the scene and apprehended the suspects.
They were found in possession of two pieces of elephant ivory weighing 6.5 kilograms. The ivory was concealed inside a sack mixed with secondhand clothing in an attempt to evade detection.
The suspects are expected to appear in court after the completion of paperwork to answer charges of illegal possession of specimens of listed species without a license, contrary to Section 110(b) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act.
Police in the district commend the public for their continued support in the fight against wildlife crime and are encouraging further collaboration to protect endangered species.
Saini hails from Kalonga village, Traditional Authority Mapira in Mangochi, Chibwana hails from Chilombo village, Traditional Authority Jalasi in Mangochi while Jimu comes from Mandimba district in Mozambique.
