Six people arrested in connection with 360 kg of ivory in Dar

 Police are holding six people in connection with 28 elephant tusks weighing 360 kilograms which were seized at a warehouse in Mbezi Beach, Dar es Salaam. 

The Minister of Tourism and Natural Resources, Professor JumanneMaghembe said on Friday that an investigation carried out by experts under his docket found that the tusks were of elephants which were killed in the past 3 to 4 years.

Prof Maghembe said the government would not relent on its war against poaching. He said authorities were strengthening security in game reserves and National parks to ensure that there are no cases of elephants being killed.

He said it was from an ongoing operation against poachers that the elephant tusks were seized and that six people, including a a local government leader of Mbezi Beach, Mr BakariSeluni were being held.

Others are being held are Mr Rashid Omari, Mohamed Yahaya –all residents of Mbezi Beach, Mr JumaJebo ( of Manzese),Ahmed Bakari (of Mkuranga) and AmirShelukindo of Morogoro region.

“These[who are being held] are the people who were found keeping the tusks in their warehouses. Police were tipped off and that’s how they were nabbed,’’ said Prof Maghembe. “We are aware that they are many more others, we are tracing them,’’ he added.

Out of the 28 tusks, he said, seven were found at the residence of one of the suspects where he had hidden them .

The Minister said the war on poaching was still being challenged by the fact that some countries trade in ivory for their industrial business.

“China, for instance, has been helping our country in fighting against poaching  but we are aware that some of the products made from ivory are being advertised through internet and this makes people still engage in products made of ivory,’’ he said.