Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Court Correspondent
A MAn has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after being convicted of illegally possessing three rhinoceros horns and four pieces of raw ivory valued at US$246 000.
The sentencing was handed down by Harare regional magistrate Mrs Fadzai Mtombeni.
Cong Yanzhong faced two counts of contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act for unlawful possession of protected wildlife products.
Prosecutor Mr Blessed Songozo proved that on July 16, detectives from the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit acted on a tip-off that Cong was dealing in wildlife contraband.
Detectives placed the Shangri-La Complex in Highlands, Harare, under surveillance after learning that Cong would arrive there in a red Honda Fit.
At around 2:40 pm, Cong arrived at the location carrying a black satchel and a brown carrier bag.
However, before they could intercept him, he entered an unregistered silver Honda Fit, which eventually dropped him off at a house in The Grange.
When Cong was opening the gate to enter the property, detectives approached him and searched his bags with his consent.
In the bags, they uncovered three rhino horns wrapped in transparent plastic.
Cong failed to produce the required permits, leading to his arrest.
A further search of his residence revealed four pieces of raw ivory, two on a weighing scale and two placed on brown sacks.
Again, Cong could not produce any documentation.
ZimParks official Jeremiah Chakuya confirmed that the seized rhino horns weighed 7,7 kg and were valued at US$240 000, while the ivory totalled 36,15 kg, valued at US$6 145,50.
