Three Mozambican citizens have been arrested in Malawi, caught in illegal possession of five ivory tips in a shopping center where they were looking for a market for the pieces.

The three are all from Nyerere, Mandimba district, Niassa province, and were arrested in Namwera, Malawi, after being surprised by the police, writes Rádio Moçambique.

The origin of these five ivory tips weighing 12 kilograms is still unknown, according to the country's police authorities.

The arrest followed a tip-off from alleged buyers who had been contacted.

Those indicted for wildlife crime will soon be brought to court to answer for the crimes of trafficking and selling protected species and face a sentence of three to five years in prison and forced labor.

Image: DR