Nyeri man found with 20kg tusks arrested

Kieni West, Kenya: A 22-year-old man is in police custody after he was found with two elephants tusks weighing 20.2kg.

The suspect was arrested at Kiandagoro area in Ndaragwa, Kieni West, by Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) officials following a tip-off.

The KWS trailed the suspect to a house in the area where they recovered the blood-stained tusks.

The authorities said they had received information that some people were trying to sell elephant trophies and launched a manhunt for the suspects leading to the arrest.

"Our officers with assistance from informers tracked the suspect, who was found in possession of the elephant tusks, one weighing 10.1kg and another 9.1kg" said Mweiga OCS Maina Andei

They arrested the suspect and handed him over to the police in Mweiga town police station. Police said they are gathering more to help them track down a cartel involved in poaching of elephants.

Authorities suspect the jumbos were killed in the huge Aberdares National Park.