Tanzania court sentences Chinese ‘Ivory Queen’ to 15 years for ivory smuggling
Yang Feng Glan and her accomplices shipped 1.889 tons to Asia where demand for ivory is fuelling poaching across Africa
Dar es Salaam — A Tanzanian court sentenced a prominent Chinese businesswoman dubbed the “Ivory Queen” to 15 years in prison on Tuesday for smuggling the tusks of more than 350 elephants to Asia — a big victory in the battle to stamp out poaching in Africa. Yang Feng Glan had been charged in October 2015 along with two Tanzanian men with smuggling 860 pieces of ivory between 2000 and 2004 worth 13 billion shillings ($5.6m). She denied the charges. Police sources said Yang, 69, had lived in Tanzania since the 1970s and was secretary-general of the Tanzania China-Africa Business Council. She also owns a popular Chinese restaurant in Dar es Salaam. Kisutu court magistrate Huruma Shaidi sentenced Yang, Salivius Matembo and Manase Philemon to 15 years in prison on convictions of leading an organised criminal gang. Shaidi also ordered them to either pay twice the market value of the elephant tusks or face another two years in prison. In court documents, prosecutors said Glan “intentionall...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.