Chinese National Caught with US$246K Worth of Rhin...

Chinese National Caught with US$246K Worth of Rhino Horns and Ivory

Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

A Chinese national has been apprehended and charged with violating the Parks and Wildlife Act after being found in possession of three rhinoceros horns and four pieces of raw ivory valued at US$246,000, without the required documentation.

Cong Yanzhong appeared before Magistrate Donald Ndirowei at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts, facing charges under the Parks and Wildlife Act for the unlawful possession of protected wildlife products. He was advised to apply for bail at the High Court and is expected back in court on July 22.

According to prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti, detectives from the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit received a tip-off on July 16 that Cong was dealing in wildlife contraband and would be traveling to Shangri-La Complex in Highlands, Harare, in a red Honda Fit.

Acting on the information, five detectives placed the location under surveillance. At around 2:40 p.m., they observed the vehicle arriving, with Cong carrying a black satchel and a brown carrier bag. Before they could intercept him, he entered an unregistered silver Honda Fit, which later dropped him off at a house in The Grange.

As Cong opened the gate to enter the property, detectives approached and searched his bags with his consent. They discovered three rhino horns wrapped in transparent plastic. Cong failed to produce a permit, leading to his arrest.

A subsequent search of his residence uncovered four pieces of raw ivory — two on a weighing scale and two atop brown sacks. Again, no documentation was provided.

ZimParks official Jeremiah Chakuya confirmed the seizure: the rhino horns weighed 7.7 kg and were valued at US$240,000, while the ivory totaled 36.15 kg, valued at US$6,145.50.