Police in Kanengo, Lilongwe, have arrested a 47-year-old man for allegedly being found in possession of raw ivory.

Kanengo Police Spokesperson Gresham Ngwira has identified the suspect as Leonard Banda.

Ngwira said on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, officers from police headquarters’ Wild Life and Environmental Crime Unit received a tip-off that a certain man was offering ivory for sale around Area 28 Industrial Area.

“Working on the tip, the officers, in the company of their colleagues from Kanengo Police Station, followed the issue during which they indeed found Banda with two wrapped sacks and a long blue traveling bag containing four pairs of ivory,” he said.

He revealed that the officers immediately arrested the suspect and seized the ivory which was cut into eight pieces weighing 37 kilograms.

Leonard Banda hails from Kamunga Village in Traditional Authority Chulu in Kasungu District, is expected to appear before court soon.