Kenya arrests elephant tusk trafficking suspects
Investigators said the ivory may have originated from Malawi and is linked to a transnational trafficking cartel.
Kenyan authorities have arrested two suspects and seized elephant tusks valued at up to Ksh14 million in an intelligence-led operation in Namanga, Kajiado County, dealing a blow to a regional wildlife trafficking network, the state news agency reports.
The suspects were arrested by a multi-agency team including the National Police Service, the Kenya Wildlife Service, the Kajiado Investigation Team and the Lusaka Agreement Task Force following intelligence on an impending illegal wildlife trade deal in the border town.
Kenya News Agency reports the suspects, Imani Manasi Msumbwa, a Tanzanian national, and Alton Jilaoneka, a Kenyan, were arrested at Mufassa Hotel.
A third suspect, Justin Mwalima, also a Tanzanian, escaped during the operation and is currently being sought by police.
Recovered items
Officers recovered 20 pieces of elephant tusks weighing about 110 kilograms from a Tanzanian-registered Toyota Mark X and a weighing machine from a second vehicle believed to have been used in the trade.
The tusks are believed to have come from at least five elephants.
Investigators said the ivory may have originated from Malawi and is linked to a transnational trafficking cartel operating across East Africa.
Authorities believe the suspects were seeking buyers outside the region before attempting to move the ivory through Kenya.
Kenya Wildlife Service described the seizure as a significant step in efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and urged the public to report suspicious activity.