Smuggler Caught with Rhino Horns Hidden in Plastic Sculpture
By Judith Nyuke
A Chinese national appeared in court after allegedly attempting to export five rhino horns, valued at US$360,000, to China via Robert Mugabe International Airport.
Lin Wang appeared before Harare magistrate Isheunesu Matova, who remanded him in custody and advised him to apply for bail at the High Court; the matter was rolled over to March 11.
The State represented by Rufaro Chonzi alleges that on 12 September 2024 Wang wanted to export a purported sculptor from Zimbabwe to China through Robert Gabriel International Airport via Emirates Airways.
He reportedly met the agent Cuthbert Maoko at Robert Gabriel International Airport Departure car park and proceeded to National Handling Services (NHS) Cargo handling area.
Whilst at NHS, Wang handed over a 13 kilogram Owl hardened plastic sculptor to agent to facilitate shipment to China and the sculptor was placed in a cardboard box.
Wang left and the agent proceeded to Aviation Ground Services to process export papers.
The sculpture was physically examined by airport Stakeholders which includes ZIMRA being represented by Tapiwa Chingosho, CID MFFU represented by Detective Constable Toma and AGS was represented by Anyway Rupiya.
The sculpture was put on AGS Scanner and the image was not consistent which prompted the stakeholders to want to verify what was contained therein.
The sculpture was placed on items held by ZIMRA on receipt number 029910A on 12 September 2024 awaiting a two months period.
After the lapse of the two months period and on the 20th of November 2024, the concerned stakeholders who first witnessed the item being taken into custody by ZIMRA were again summoned to witness the breaking of the sculptor the clearing agent.
It is the State’s case that when the sculpture was broken, it was discovered that there were five rhino horn pieces which were wrapped by a newspaper and tied by a transparent plastic hidden inside.
The agent implicated Wang as the one who gave him the sculpture which contained the recovered Rhino Horn pieces.
The agent phoned the accused to come at the airport to answer the questions relating the case but accused disappeared.
The five [05] Rhino horn pieces were seized by ZIMRA on Notice of Seizure receipt number 024315L.
The recovered exhibit was conveyed to ZIMPARKS for assaying where it was assayed in the presence of the agent since the accused was on the run and it was found to be five pieces of rhino horns all valued at US$ 360 000-00.
