CIO man arrested over ivory possession
03/06/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
A CENTRAL Intelligence Organisation operative was last week arrested in
Harare’s Eastlea suburb for illegal possession of two elephant tasks.
Detectives said the CIO man had been arrested together with three
accomplices adding the suspects are all in custody as investigations
continue.
“On May 24, detectives who were on Women Network Operation received
information that some people were looking for a buyer for their two elephant
tusks,” said police Border Control and Minerals Unit spokesperson, Detective
Inspector Shelter Rufu.
Rufu said, acting on the tip off, detectives disguised as potential buyers
went to the house along Daventry Road.
“Once the tusks were produced, the detectives identified themselves and
arrested the illegal ivory dealers,” she said.
The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority recently
recovered 50 elephant tusks worth more than US$1 million after shooting dead
a poacher and injuring another in Binga and Victoria Falls.
The gazetted replacement value for each slain elephant is US$50 000 while
ivory sells for US$250 per kg.