Police in Mchinji have arrested two men, Mavuto Jophris, and Mandera Masauso, for being found in possession of a live pangolin.
Following the report received on May 12, 2022, at around 16:00hours that the two were offering for sell a mentioned species which was concealed in an empty sack and placed in a backpack, Police instantly made a follow up.
Upon reaching at Bua trading centre, Mchinji Police detectives and Wildlife and Environment Crime Investigators intercept the suspects and arrested them. They also managed to rescue a live pangolin.
The suspects will appear before court soon when investigations are over to answer the case of found in possession of listed species contrary to section 86 (1) of the National Parks and Wildlife act as read with section 110B (b) of National Parks and Wildlife.
Mavuto Jophris hails from Jophris village Traditional Authority Malemia Nsanje District while Mandera Masautso comes from Mzuma Village Traditional Authority Mavwere in Mchinji District.
According to the National Geographic, Pangolin scales, like rhino horn, have no proven medicinal value, yet they are used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with ailments ranging from lactation difficulties to arthritis.
The scales typically dried and ground up into powder, which may be turned into a pill
