Three men have been arrested after they were found in illegal possession of twelve pieces of ivory worth US$4 480.
The trio was arrested at the Umguza tollgate, en route to Bulawayo from Lupane.
Bulawayo police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident.
Insp Ncube said the police received a tip-off on Friday evening, and an ambush was set to intercept the three as they travelled to Bulawayo where they were meant to meet with their intended buyer.
“The police arrested Jabulani Dube (41) of Lobengula Suburb, Dedani Sibanda (33) of Masungamala Village, Lupane and Dumisani Tshuma (30) of Shambula Village, for being found in possession of ivory,” Insp Ncube said.
“On the 19th of January 2024 at around 1900 hours, Detectives from CID Vehicle Theft Squad, Bulawayo received information to the effect that the accused persons were in possession of elephant tusks at Lupane and wanted to transport them to Bulawayo where they intended to sell them,” Insp Ncube said.
“On the 20th of January 2024 at around 0500 hours, the detectives reacted to the information and proceeded to Umguza tollgate where the accused persons were supposed to meet the intended buyer. They spotted the accused persons disembarking from a truck carrying two sacks which were concealing the ivory. The truck was coming from Hwange en route to Bulawayo. The detectives then approached the accused persons who were now standing by the side of the road and introduced themselves.”
Insp Ncube said the police detectives requested to search the accused persons and their sacks and they recovered five pieces of unmarked raw ivory in one of the sacks and seven pieces of unmarked Ivory on the other sack.
“The accused persons were asked to produce a licence or a permit authorising them to have the raw unmarked ivory and they failed to produce it. The ivory weighed 64 kilograms and was valued at US$4480-00,” he said.
“We would like to appreciate members of the public for the faith they have in their police service and for supplying this vital information that led to the arrest of the accused persons.”
