DEALER NABBED with 25KGS OF IVORY

Zvikomborero Parafini

AN illegal ivory dealer ran out of luck and was arrested while in possession of 25 kgs of ivory worth US$4000 at his base in Dzivaresekwa.

Luke Chimbo 45, was not asked to plead when he appeared before magistrate Ruth Moyo over the weekend.

The court heard that detectives from CID Minerals received a tip-off that Chimbo was dealing illegally in ivory and was looking for potential buyers in Dzivaresekwa.

Acting on the tip-off, the police went to Dzivaresekwa and placed Chimbo on surveillance.

Chimbo hired a scotch cart from Norman Bonjesi and went to S and M Bricks and returned with a pink bag.

The police confronted him and introduced themselves before they asked to search him.

They opened the bag and recovered 13 elephant tusks.

The police demanded a licence, which allowed him to posses the ivory and he failed to do that.

The ivory has a street value of US$4180.