Law enforcement agencies have intensified their crackdown on wildlife trafficking, with recent multi-agency operations leading to significant elephant tusk recoveries and arrests in Mbeere South and Meru Town. The busts underscore the ongoing commitment by authorities to combat illegal wildlife trade in the country.
In Mbeere South, a multi-agency law enforcement team successfully apprehended three individuals on suspicion of wildlife trafficking.
The operation, conducted at the Siakago-Kiritiri Junction, led to the recovery of six pieces of elephant tusks, weighing a total of 48 kilograms, which were found stashed inside two gunny bags.
The suspects Michael Kariuki, Morris Kariuki Njuki, and Margaret Syombua Mutua were subsequently arraigned before the Siakago Law Courts.
They face charges of dealing in and possessing wildlife trophies of an endangered species without a permit. The trio remains in remand, awaiting a pre-bail report as investigations continue until June 11, 2025.
Meanwhile, a separate multi-agency security team, comprising officers from the National Police Service and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), arrested two suspects earlier today on Njuri Ncheke Street, near PostBank in Meru Town.
The suspects were found in possession of seven elephant tusks, weighing approximately 14 kilograms. They are currently in custody and are set to be arraigned in court soon.
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