Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) has seized four elephant tusks weighing 30 kilograms in Tete province, preventing their illegal sale and arresting three individuals in connection with the case. The ivory was discovered on Sunday at the residence of one of the suspects in the Mágoè district. According to authorities, the tusks were about to be sold to Mozambican buyers for approximately 150,000 meticais.
One of the detainees denied direct involvement, claiming he merely acted as an intermediary. “My neighbour only asked me to take a photo. He said that after he closed the deal, he would give me a little,” explained the suspect. Another suspect said his only role was to photograph the ivory and send it to a prospective buyer.
SERNIC spokesperson in Tete, Celina Roque, confirmed that a fourth suspect, believed to be the ringleader, is still at large. She added that investigations suggest the tusks were sourced from Mágoè National Park. “We have one fugitive, and officers from the relevant institutions are already on the ground in pursuit of the suspect,” stated Roque.
