Three netted over Ivory

Police in Rubirizi district have arrested three people for allegedly illegally trading in hippopotamus ivory.

The suspects include; Godious Turinawe 34, of Busenyi district, Johnson Aharimpisya 32, a resident of Bushenyi and Joseph Muramira 37, of Rubirizi district.

The Division Police Commander (DPC) Ahmed Hasunira said the trio was arrested from Ndekye Town council in Rubirizi district after a tip off from the public.

"The arrests were made early this week after receiving intelligence information that the three were trading in wildlife products, something that is illegal,"Hasunira said.

He added that the operation was carried out by police flying squad with the help of the National Resource Conservation Network (NRCN) staff  who posed as buyers.

Hasunira told the New Vision in a telephone interview that the suspects are currently detained at Rubirizi Central Police Station on charges of illegal possession of wildlife trophies or products.