Ten people including two Guineans were yesterday charged at Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court with smuggling ivory worth Sh4.5 billion.
The accused, Mr Ally Sharif and Ms Fatoumata Saumaolo who are Guinean nationals, and others, were brought to answer the charges before Principal Resident Magistrate Yohana Yongolo.
Other accused persons are Victor Mawalla, Calisti Mawalla, Haruna Kassa, Abbas Hassan, Solomon Mtenya, Mussa Ligagabile, Khalfan Kahengele and Ismail Kassa.
The court did not allow them to enter a plea because it lacks the jurisdiction to hear the case, which is normally heard by the High Court.
They accused were remanded until July 28 when their case will come up for another mention as the matter awaits the completion of investigation.
State Attorney Paul Kaduchi said the accused face three counts of leading organised crime, unlawful dealing in trophies and possession of government trophies contrary to the Wildlife Conservation Act and Organised Crime Control Act.
Mr Kaduchi alleged that, on diverse dates between April 6 and June 23, this year within the Dar es Salaam City, the accused organised, managed, supervised and financed a criminal racket by buying, accepting, transporting and possessing government trophies which is 660 pieces of elephant tusks valued at US$2,105,181, (about Sh4.6 billion), property of the government.