United State (US) Deputy Chief of Mission to Malawi Michael C. Gonzales was intercepted at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) for allegedly attempting to smuggle ivory.

KIA police officers confirmed of the development in an interview with one of the local radio station.

According to information at hand, Gonzales was taken to police for questioning where he revealed that the ivory found in his luggage was given to him as gift.

Gonzales was later cleared by the Police after a lengthy discussion between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy in Lilongwe.