Detectives set up trap, arrest Harare man over ivo...

Detectives set up trap, arrest Harare man over ivory

Zim Now Writer

A 34-year-old man from Stone Ridge in Harare appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi charged with illegal possession of ivory.

Detectives from the Police Minerals Flora and Fauna Section, who posed as potential buyers, trapped Author Edwin Kowe and arrested him on February 19, 2023.

One of the detectives pretended to be an ivory buyer and phoned Kowe, luring him to Waterworks along Chiremba Road, while the other team of detectives carried out surveillance as back-up.

Upon arrival, Kowe produced two pieces of raw unmarked ivory and as negotiations progressed, the backup team was signalled to close in.

Kowe tried to flee as the detectives closed in, but one warning shot was fired in the air from a service AK rifle. Kowe was asked to produce a licence or permit authorising him to possess ivory, but he failed to do so, leading to his arrest.

Officials from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority assessed the two pieces of ivory and they confirmed that it was raw elephant ivory with a street value of US$884.