Police have arrested and interdicted two police officers for aiding in the illegal trafficking and selling of ivory.
According to Police deputy spokesperson, Thomeck Nyaude, the two officers, 29-year-old Mike Chunga and Gift Nabwereko, have been temporarily relieved of their duties pending court appearance
Nyaude said the whole issue was revealed when police arrested three people at Nsanama in Machinga for being found in possession of and offering for sale ivory.
The three were keeping and offering for sale about 42 Kilogrammes of the banned merchandise.
“This happened around Liwonde Trading Centre when our police officers were tipped by members of the general public about the men. During investigations, the suspects also confessed that they intended to sell the ivory at a price of K42, 000 per Kilogramne,” said Nyaude.
Nyaude also said that police investigations are underway before the suspects are taken to court to answer charges of illegal possession and offering for sell ivory or any other protected species.
Ivory possession is contrary to Section 84(10) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act of 2004.
Two of the suspects are James Mwale, aged 30 years and 18-year-ol, Mavuto Ginifold, both from Maluma village in the area of Senior Chief Liwonde in Machinga while the third suspect is Dominic Caesar Nyirongo, aged 24 years, from Mzimba.
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