News / National
Chinese man on the run over rhino horns
10 Dec 2024 at 07:07hrs | Views
A Chinese man, Lin Wang, is on the run after a clearing agent, Cuthbert Maoko, was arrested for attempting to facilitate the smuggling of five rhinoceros horns hidden in an owl-shaped plastic sculpture to China. The horns, valued at approximately US$360,000, were discovered by authorities at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in September this year.
Maoko, a clearing agent employed at the airport, was granted bail at the High Court recently after facing charges of unlawful possession of rhino horns under the Parks and Wildlife Act. He was granted a US$100 bail by High Court judge, Justice Regis Dembure. Maoko had initially appeared at the Harare Magistrates' Court, which referred the case to the High Court for a bail application.
The incident unfolded on September 12, when Maoko arrived at the airport carrying a 30kg owl-shaped plastic sculpture, which he intended to facilitate for shipment to China. Suspicious airport security officials flagged the parcel, prompting them to alert relevant authorities, including Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) officers and AGS staff.
Upon scanning the sculpture, officials found that the contents did not match the declaration made for the shipment. The parcel was taken into custody by ZIMRA, and on November 20, Maoko was asked to break open the sculpture in the presence of authorities. Inside, they discovered five pieces of rhino horn wrapped in newspaper and transparent plastic.
When questioned, Maoko failed to produce any permits for the horns, leading to his arrest. He denied the charges, claiming he was merely facilitating the shipment for Lin Wang and was unaware of the horns concealed inside the sculpture.
The State opposed Maoko's bail application, arguing that there were compelling reasons to keep him in custody, including the claim that he was part of an international smuggling syndicate. However, Maoko countered that he was a responsible agent with strong ties to Zimbabwe, noting that Wang was a regular client. Maoko also stated that he had no knowledge of the illegal contents of the shipment, emphasizing that clearing agents typically do not verify the addresses provided by clients.
Justice Dembure, in granting bail, ruled that there was insufficient evidence to support the State's claims that Maoko was part of a criminal syndicate. The judge noted that Maoko had not attempted to flee and had been attending to his daily duties at the airport. He further highlighted that the clearing agent had demonstrated exemplary conduct and had strong ties to the country, including an affidavit from his wife confirming that he was a family man.
"There was no evidence submitted that the applicant has any connections to any international syndicate involved in the smuggling of rhino horns," Justice Dembure stated, adding that the State's claim remained unsupported by evidence.
Maoko's case continues, but the whereabouts of Lin Wang remain unknown. Authorities are continuing their efforts to track down the Chinese national, who is believed to be the owner of the rhino horns.
Maoko, a clearing agent employed at the airport, was granted bail at the High Court recently after facing charges of unlawful possession of rhino horns under the Parks and Wildlife Act. He was granted a US$100 bail by High Court judge, Justice Regis Dembure. Maoko had initially appeared at the Harare Magistrates' Court, which referred the case to the High Court for a bail application.
The incident unfolded on September 12, when Maoko arrived at the airport carrying a 30kg owl-shaped plastic sculpture, which he intended to facilitate for shipment to China. Suspicious airport security officials flagged the parcel, prompting them to alert relevant authorities, including Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) officers and AGS staff.
Upon scanning the sculpture, officials found that the contents did not match the declaration made for the shipment. The parcel was taken into custody by ZIMRA, and on November 20, Maoko was asked to break open the sculpture in the presence of authorities. Inside, they discovered five pieces of rhino horn wrapped in newspaper and transparent plastic.
The State opposed Maoko's bail application, arguing that there were compelling reasons to keep him in custody, including the claim that he was part of an international smuggling syndicate. However, Maoko countered that he was a responsible agent with strong ties to Zimbabwe, noting that Wang was a regular client. Maoko also stated that he had no knowledge of the illegal contents of the shipment, emphasizing that clearing agents typically do not verify the addresses provided by clients.
Justice Dembure, in granting bail, ruled that there was insufficient evidence to support the State's claims that Maoko was part of a criminal syndicate. The judge noted that Maoko had not attempted to flee and had been attending to his daily duties at the airport. He further highlighted that the clearing agent had demonstrated exemplary conduct and had strong ties to the country, including an affidavit from his wife confirming that he was a family man.
"There was no evidence submitted that the applicant has any connections to any international syndicate involved in the smuggling of rhino horns," Justice Dembure stated, adding that the State's claim remained unsupported by evidence.
Maoko's case continues, but the whereabouts of Lin Wang remain unknown. Authorities are continuing their efforts to track down the Chinese national, who is believed to be the owner of the rhino horns.
Source - newsday
