Two Chinese nationals were caught attempting to smuggle rhino horns valued at US$480,000 to China, concealing them within sculptures.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Their illicit scheme was thwarted by authorities at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
The suspects, Lin Wang (also known as William Kings) and Fuxi Wang, were denied bail when they appeared before Harare magistrate Isheanesu Matova.
Facing third schedule charges, they were remanded in custody and advised to seek bail from the High Court.
According to the prosecution, last Thursday, Lin Wang sought to export a sculpture from Zimbabwe to China via Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
He enlisted a clearing agent and met with them in Alexandra Park, agreeing to pay US$600 for the transaction. He initially paid a deposit of US$300, with the balance to be settled in two days.
While under police surveillance along Fleetwood Road in Alexandra Park, officers observed Fuxi Wang handing a white plastic package to Lin at the entrance of a residence. Lin then drove off in a rented Nissan X-Trail.
Surveillance teams followed and witnessed Lin inviting the clearing agent into his vehicle, where he paid US$200 of the remaining balance. As the transaction took place, law enforcement officers intervened and identified themselves.
Detective Sergeant Kemusi recovered the white plastic bag, which contained a khaki cardboard box hiding rhino horns.
Lin was unable to provide a permit for possessing the horns and was immediately arrested. The recovered horns were valued at US$120,000.
The court further heard that on September 12 of the previous year, Lin had similarly attempted to export a sculpture to China via Emirates Airways.
He met with clearing agent Cuthbert Maoko at the airport departure parking area, and they proceeded to the National Handling Services (NHS) Cargo section. Lin handed over a 13 kg owl sculpture for export, which was placed inside a cardboard box.
After Lin departed, the agent processed the export paperwork at Aviation Ground Services.
However, during physical inspection by ZIMRA, CID, and AGS officials, the sculpture was scanned, revealing suspicious imagery.
As a result, ZIMRA held the package for further examination.
Two months later, upon breaking open the sculpture, authorities discovered five pieces of rhino horn wrapped in newspaper.
The agent implicated Lin and attempted to call him for questioning, but he evaded contact and went into hiding. The seized rhino horn pieces were valued at US$360,000.
The case remains under investigation as authorities continue their crackdown on wildlife trafficking.
