Resident magistrate Huruma Shaidi adjourned the case until November 21 because Ms Yang, who is the third accused and remanded at Segerea Prison was absent.
Dar es Salaam. The Kisutu Resident Magistrates’ Court yesterday failed to hear the case of smuggling ivory worth Sh5.4 billion facing Chinese woman Yang Feng Glan “Ivory Queen” and two others.
Resident magistrate Huruma Shaidi adjourned the case until November 21 because Ms Yang, who is the third accused and remanded at Segerea Prison was absent.
Earlier, state attorney Paul Kadushi informed the court that they were ready to continue with the hearing of the case and had one witness to testify yesterday.
Ms Yang is charged along with two Tanzanians, Mr Salivius Matembo and Mr Manase Philemon, with several counts, including smuggling ivory worth Sh5.4 billion between January 1, 2000 and May 22, 2014. The accused were arraigned on October 7 last year for smuggling and trading in 706 elephant tusks weighing 1,889kgs worth Sh5.4 billion without a licence from the director of wildlife.
The three are also charged with being involved in organised crimes. They are alleged to have illegally collected, transported and sold ivory for profit without a permit from the director of wildlife.
Mr Philemon is also separately charged with escaping from lawful custody.
It was alleged that on May 21, 2014 in Sinza Palestina suburb, Kinondoni District, the accused escaped from police custody after he was detained for illegal possession of government trophies.
According to the public prosecutor, Ms Yang was arrested following a confession statement by her fellow accused that she had been the sole buyer of the elephant tusks.
