Chinese national caged for illegally possessing wildlife products

A Chinese national has been sentenced to 18 years in jail after being convicted of unlawfully dealing in wildlife.

Cong Yanzhong, (57 ) of Harare was arraigned before the Harare magistrate court facing two counts of unlawfully dealing in wildlife.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on July 16 this year, police detectives received a tip off to the effect that Yanzhong was illegally dealing in wildlife products.

The detectives pursued the offender and found him in possession of a black satchel and a brown carrier bag.They proceeded to search him and found three shrink-wrapped rhinoceros horns.

Yanzhong failed to produce a permit or licence for the horns leading to his arrest. The rhinoceros horns weighed 7.7 kg and were valued at US$240,000, police detectives also searched the offender's house and uncovered four pieces of raw ivory weighing 36.15 kg valued US$6,146.

"This sentencing sends a strong message that Zimbabwe has zero tolerance for wildlife crime," warned the NPA.

"We will continue to work tirelessly to
protect our precious natural heritage and ensure that those who seek to profit from the destruction of our wildlife face the full force of the law."