Four arrested after being found with elephant tusks

THE Erongo branch of the Protected Resources Unit (PRU) of the Namibian Police last week arrested four suspects in the North who were found in possession of four elephant tusks.

Chief Inspector Sydney Philander, Regional Crime Co-ordinator, said the operation was carried out by undercover officers. They have already appeared in court and were not granted bail.Philander said no further details would be made available until the case had been concluded.Meanwhile, the PRU has arrested a suspect in the Caprivi Region after he was found with a pangolin skin.Police at Swakopmund and Walvis Bay have increased their operations over the past two months, scoring some successes.Last Tuesday four youths were caught while allegedly breaking into a bar at Kuisebmond.Fillipus Michael Vatileni (21), Jeremia Likius (21), Simeon Mbishi (19), Malakia Shinedima (20) appeared in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s court on Thursday and remain in custody.Philander said four similar cases had been reported to the Police.”We are looking at possibly linking the arrested suspects to these other cases as well and charging them for those,” he said.Philander said the increased operations of the Police included patrols at night, confronting suspects, intelligence gathering and staking out premises.Philander thanked the public for co-operating with the Police and for providing tipoffs.A huge amount of stolen property has been recovered by the Police and people are requested to visit the Swakopmund Police Station to identify their property.The items include cell phones, bicycles, clothes and stereo sets.All items not reclaimed by the public will be sold on auction.They have already appeared in court and were not granted bail.Philander said no further details would be made available until the case had been concluded.Meanwhile, the PRU has arrested a suspect in the Caprivi Region after he was found with a pangolin skin.Police at Swakopmund and Walvis Bay have increased their operations over the past two months, scoring some successes.Last Tuesday four youths were caught while allegedly breaking into a bar at Kuisebmond.Fillipus Michael Vatileni (21), Jeremia Likius (21), Simeon Mbishi (19), Malakia Shinedima (20) appeared in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s court on Thursday and remain in custody.Philander said four similar cases had been reported to the Police.”We are looking at possibly linking the arrested suspects to these other cases as well and charging them for those,” he said.Philander said the increased operations of the Police included patrols at night, confronting suspects, intelligence gathering and staking out premises.Philander thanked the public for co-operating with the Police and for providing tipoffs.A huge amount of stolen property has been recovered by the Police and people are requested to visit the Swakopmund Police Station to identify their property.The items include cell phones, bicycles, clothes and stereo sets.All items not reclaimed by the public will be sold on auction.