Wildlife crime increase

…as authorities arrest 16 in 6 days

By Confidente Reporter

WITHIN a week, the intelligence and investigative unit in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism arrested 16 suspects in connection with seven new cases of wildlife crime recorded between 25 and 31 May.

Of the 16 suspects, 11 were arrested for rhino poaching or trafficking cases, which also includes cases of conspiracy of rhino poaching while only two suspects were arrested for elephant poaching.

The unit in collaboration with the Namibian Police’s protected resources division, seized six rhino horns, two elephant tusks and two giraffe carcasses.  The authorities also confiscated two firearms, 17 rounds of ammunition and two vehicles.

The cases were recorded in various towns including Rundu, Kamanjab, Windhoek, Otjiwarongo, Gobabis, Okahandja and Tsumeb.