Police in Balaka are keeping in custody two men, Yusuf Sadik, 32, and Pemphero Sydney, 42, for allegedly possessing specimen of listed species contrary to Section 86 (1) of National Parks and Wildlife Act.

According to Balaka Police Station Publicist, Felix Misomali, said the duo is suspected to have offered on sale a live Pangolin worth K7 million on Friday, September 11 around 19:00 hours within Balaka Township.

Said Misomali: “On the material evening, a well wisher who posed as a potential buyer tipped the police that three men were offering for sale government trophies within Balaka Township.”

Following the tip, police detectives rushed to the scene where they seized the Pangolin and arrested the two who were using a Lorry Mitsubishi Canter registration number BLK 8452 driven by the second suspect, Sydney, but one suspect immediately bolted.

The two will appear before court after thorough investigations.

Sadik comes from Nakapa Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Bwananyambi in Mangochi whereas Sydney hails from Kandengwe Village, TA Nsamala in Balaka.