An Indonesian national was on Monday arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for illegal possession of ivory worth Ksh10 million.
According to a statement shared by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), the suspect was arrested moments before he boarded his plane.
The arrest was made after a vigilant security team at the airport discovered the illegal goods during the mandatory routine screening of passengers and their luggage at the airport.
The seized ivory weighing 38.4kg was destined for the Asian markets. Officers from the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) impounded the illegal goods.
“Kenyan authorities have thwarted a significant wildlife trafficking attempt at JKIA. An Indonesian national aboard flight KQ 571 was arrested for illegal possession of 38.4 kg of ivory valued at Kshs. 10M
“A vigilant KAA security team manning JKIA’s Terminal 1 C discovered the illicit cargo during mandatory passenger screening. Swift action by the KAPU led to the suspect’s arrest, & the seized ivory was impounded by the @KWSKenya, dealing a blow to the illegal ivory trade,” the statement added.
🚨 Major Ivory Smuggling Attempt Foiled at JKIA! 🚨
1/2 Kenyan authorities have thwarted a significant wildlife trafficking attempt at JKIA. An Indonesian national aboard flight KQ 571 was arrested for illegal possession of 38.4 kg of ivory valued at Kshs. 10M pic.twitter.com/kPxRYSKo0p
— Kenya Airports Authority (@KenyaAirports) October 9, 2023
Elsewhere in Turkana’s south sub-county, two police officers were arrested for allegedly smuggling 13 foreigners into the country.
The arrests were made after detectives received a tip-off from members of the public. The two were intercepted near Town Chini area of Lokichar.
The 13; 8 Ethiopians, 4 Eritreans and 1 Sudanese were arrested together with the officers and booked at a nearby police station.
“Please be informed that this evening at about 1900 hrs, we received an intel report that an AP Land Cruiser was ferrying aliens from Lokori, heading towards Lokichar.
“Immediately a team comprising the Regular Police from Lokichar Police Station and DCI Turkana South headed by both C.I Calvins Nyapara and IP Naftali Makori respectively, laid ambush and later intercepted the suspected m/v near Town Chini area of Lokichar, about 1km East of the station,” the statement read in parts.
