Niel Terblanche
An intelligence-driven operation earlier this week led to the arrest in the Oshikoto Region of two residents of Windhoek who stand accused of trading in controlled wildlife products.
According to a report about the arrest, provided by the commander of the Namibian Police in Oshikoto Region, Commissioner Teopoline Kalompo-Nashikaku, information received by investigators suggested that the two suspects were on their way to the south after completing a transaction where they were seen selling a pangolin skin.
In her report, Commissioner Kalompo-Nashikaku stated that intelligence information received indicated that the suspects were heading towards Omuthiya from the north and officers on duty at the police roadblock were provided with information about the vehicle and persons to be on the lookout for.
She said that the car was eventually intercepted at the roadblock and during a search of the vehicle, officers discovered pangolin skin worth N$50 000 inside.
“Both suspects were arrested and are scheduled to appear in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court on charges relating to the illicit trade in controlled wildlife products. The suspects reside in the Goreangab and Havana neighbourhoods of Windhoek but are currently in police custody at the Omuthiya Police Station.
