By Charles Mkoka
LILONGWE, Malawi - Kamuzu
International Airport (KIA) last Wednesday intercepted nine wooden boxes stacked
with pieces of worked ivory destined to China through the global logistics
delivery express DHL by a Malawian middle man name Mark Nyirenda, a Lilongwe
resident based in Area 18.
The contents that were being
shipped to China surprised KIA security detail during baggage check after they
reached the electronic scanning device. In no time the Police did not hesitate
but called for the expertise advice of a wildlife specialist, Senior Assistant
Parks and Wildlife Officer, Miles Zidana. He confirmed that the contents packed
in the wooden boxes were indeed pieces of worked ivory weighing 50 kilograms.
The beneficiary of the illicit goods was Axanga, Veniiane Nantha; Lao, China
under Airway Bill number 1964394176.
But upon hearing that the
contents of the consignment needed verification the local middle man Nyirenda
escaped from the premises, but his details on the airway bill helped
investigators to track his whereabouts. It was later revealed that the owners
of the ivory are two Chinese nationals working at the state of the art Golden
Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe. The two nationals were immediately arrested and are waiting
to appear in court soon after being granted police bail.
Meanwhile, following concerns
that have been raised through the multi agency taskforce on low fines and
sentences meted on traffickers recently. The case has been moved to a
magistrate of higher jurisdiction at Chief Resident Magistrate Lilongwe
premises.
The case file has been handed
over to the Central Regional Prosecution team according to Assistant Director
of Parks and Wildlife, Samuel Nyanyale. “The suspects will appear in court on
Thursday,” Regional Prosecutor, Levi Mangani confirmed in an interview on Wednesday.
Lilongwe Wildlife Centre Manager,
Jonathan Vaughan said recently that there is a need to sensitize citizens and
airport staff that KIA is being frequently targeted by criminals trading in
ivory and other wildlife artefacts as an exit route to the outside world.
He expressed worry at the pace
Chinese nationals are being connected to the cases of illegal ivory in the
country. The Malawians middle men are simply being used to decimated elephant
populations in the country and this is very unfortunate indeed.
The arrest comes at a time when
conservationists are planning to join a global march on elephants and ivory in
Lilongwe on 3 October, 2014.
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