A Tanzanian national, suspected of being one of the key organizers behind the trafficking of Malagasy tortoises abroad, was arrested on October 17 at Ivato International Airport. According to a source within the Ministry of Environment, he had been wanted for a year and is allegedly involved in several major tortoise trafficking cases.
The man was reportedly linked to two cases in 2025. The first involved the seizure of 1,552 tortoises in the Menabe region, while the second concerned 766 tortoises discovered in the Boeny region. His alleged involvement in these two cases led to the issuance of an arrest warrant against him. His arrival in Antananarivo on October 17 allowed law enforcement to carry out the arrest as he disembarked from his flight.
Following his arrest, the suspect was taken to the anti-corruption unit of the Ministry of Environment for investigation. He was presented to the Anti-Corruption Pole (PAC) on Tuesday, October 21, and has been placed in pre-trial detention pending his trial, by court order.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-23 06:38:54 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/trafic-de-tortues-un-tanzanien-arrete.html