Malawi Police in Machinga have arrested three people over illegal possession of ivory after their houses were raided by the law enforcers who had earlier posed as potential buyers.
Machinga Police spokesperson Davie Sulumba said the 49 kilograms of ivory is estimated at K36 million but the suspects were selling them at K220,000.
“The suspects told us that they have been killing elephants for the ivory from Liwonde National Park in Machinga using guns which they have been hiring,” he said.
He said the suspects are James Mwera, 21, Mabvuto Giriford, 18 both from Machinga and a Nyirongo, 36 from Mzimba.
Officials from the park say atleast 2000 elephants have been killed for their ivory in the last few years.