Namibia: Duo Cleared of N$1m Seal Genital Export

Two Chinese men, Hou Xuecheng and Zhang Xianming, were cleared of charges related to the alleged illegal export of seal genitals from Namibia in a recent court ruling. The pair were apprehended at Hosea Kutako International Airport in January last year, with 571 seal bull genitals, weighing 21.7kg and valued at roughly N$1.16 million, in their possession.

However, magistrate Leopold Hangalo ruled that the accused had legally acquired the seal genitals and did not export them. Zhang, who was scheduled to fly to Luanda, had his luggage booked for the flight, while Hou's luggage was not. The police arrested the duo prematurely, according to Hangalo. The charges against the men included disguising the unlawful origin of property, acquisition, possession, or use of proceeds of unlawful activities, export of controlled wildlife products, and failure to declare goods to customs.

Zhang also faced an additional charge of assisting a person who obtained proceeds of unlawful activities. However, the court found that the seal genitals did not originate from unlawful activities and that the men had a valid permit to possess the items.