Tanzanian and Malawian police forces seized 1,126 elephant tusks that were apparently intended for sale on the black market, dpa quoted officials as saying Friday. Tanzanian police spokesman Robert Manumba said about 350 pieces were found in Dar es Salaam while the rest were discovered in Malawi. After the initial raid in Dar es Salaam, police discovered information that led to the capture of the larger shipment which was concealed as cement and had already crossed into Malawi. Kenya Wildlife Service this week said police captured nearly a tonne and half of elephant ivory inside a container at Mombasa port. The smugglers tried to conceal the ivory by packing it along with sun dried fish maws, which has a strong odour. Some of the ivory had been worked into polished pieces. The value of elephant ivory has been on a sharp rise in recent years, fueling an increase in poaching. A kilogram sells for more than 2,000 dollars.
