Chinese gang busted in Uganda crime spree

Thirty-seven Chinese gang nationals have been arrested in Uganda for unlawful possession of illegal wildlife species. Three of them, according to prosecution, were found on March 19, 2020 disassembling several mobile phones and computers for trading purposes without a trading license. The offenses were reportedly committed in Kireka, Kira Municipality in Wakiso district.

A day later during a search at their premises, the same group was found with suspected stolen property, which included computer motherboards, phones, and electricity meters.

They were also in possession of 1,895 Airtel and 223 MTN sim cards which they were using in scam financial transactions and protected wildlife species including 6 tortoises and pangolin scales.

Pangolins are believed to be the world’s most trafficked mammal, accounting for as much as 20% of all illegal wildlife trade listed on the IUCN Red List of threatened species as critically endangered.

MMP