A Zambian national by the name of Nelson Goma has been arrested for illegal importation of ivory.

Mchinji police spokesperson, Kaitano Lubrino said the 26 year old suspected was found with nine pieces of ivory weighing 2 kg`s along Mkanda – Mchinji road.

Lubrino said the Zambian national had used unchartered routes with the ivory and his arrest was made following a tip-off from a well-wisher.

After the arrest, police referred the specimen to an expert from the Department of Malawi National Parks and Wildlife for analysis where it was confirmed to be ivory.

The department had also valued the ivory to be wealth K40.500.000.00 calculated at 2000 US dollars/kg.

Goma is expected to appear before Mchinji First Grade Magistrate Court to answer charges of being found in possession of specimen of protected species contrary to section 86 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act and Illegal entry respectively.