By Memory Mzingwa-Mana

Police in Kasungu have arrested two people for allegedly being found in possession of raw ivory at Nkhamenya in the district.

Kasungu Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Sub-Inspector, Joseph Kachikho has confirmed that the two are Cossam Phiri, 68 and Malani Phiri, 30.

They were arrested on November 27, 2022, at Nkhamenya Hospital as they were looking for a market for the ivory.

“After receiving a tip-off, parks and wildlife Department officials made a follow up, posed as potential buyers and later arrested the two while possessing two pieces of ivory weighing 20.1 kilogrammes. The pieces of ivory will be taken to wildlife experts for analysis,” he said.

Illegal wildlife trade is the fourth largest transnational crime in the world and stands as the greatest threat to the survival of endangered species like Elephants and Rhinos.

The two suspects hail from Chimodzimodzi Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Mwase in Kasungu and will appear before court soon.