NKHOTAKOTA-(MaraviPost)-In an effort to ensure maximum protection to wildlife, the Malawi police in Nkhotakota on Thursday afternoon arrested Master Banda and Philemon Banda for being found in possession of elephant tusks weighing 26.5 kg without permission.
Central Region Police Public Relations Officer, Nolliettie Chihana Chimala told The Maravi Post that the law enforcers received a tip-off from well-wisher that the said suspects were in possession of the tusks and that they were offering them for sale.
Chihana Chimala said thereafter, some officers from police headquarters teamed up with other officers from Nkhotakota police station, they rounded the suspects up and arrested them instantly. The tusks were confiscated.
“The two charges have been leveled against them: (1) Illegal Possession of Specimen of Protected Species contrary to Section 86 (1) of National Parks and Wildlife Act, and (2) Dealing in Government/Wildlife Trophies contrary to section 91 of National Parks and Wildlife Act.
“The duo suspects will appear before court once the preparations are completed,” she added.
Master Banda (47 years) comes from Tongole village while Philemon Banda (22 years) hails from Kawerama village, both from Traditional Authority (T.A) Mphonde, Nkhotakota district.
