Police recover ivory worth Sh21m in Utawala, Nairobi

Police recover ivory at a house in Utawala, Nairobi

Six men were Tuesday arrested after they were found with 216 kilograms of ivory valued at about Sh21 million in a house in Utawala area, Nairobi.

Those caught with the tusks told police they were headed for Hong Kong where the owners had paid for their shipment.

Police tracked the men to the two bedroomed house where the ivory had been cut into pieces and packaged ready for shipment following a tip off.

Six men arrested after they were found with 216 kilograms

Head of Special Crimes Prevention Unit Noah Katumo said the main dealer identified as Abdinur Ibrahim was among those arrested and that most of the ivory originated Meru National Park.

Katumo added they also seized a weighing machine and rolls of cello tape and rolls of tobacco that the men were using in their business.

“They planned to use tobacco to seal the ivory to avoid detection at various points,” he said.

He added the supposed to be receiver had sent half of the money to the senders of the cargo.

This gives an indication the illegal business in ivory is still rampant despite thorough policing and stiff penalties on those caught.

The operation was carried out by various government agencies.

Two months ago two men were arrested after they were found with 117 kilograms of ivory in Tseikuru, Kitui County.

The arrest comes at a time when various agencies are investigating the March 2017 seizure of ivory weighing 117 kgs in Hanoi, Vietnam. The Hanoi seizure was later traced back to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Recent trends show that the far eastern countries continue to present a lucrative market for ivory and other wildlife trophies. More suspects are being sought and under investigations

“This is giving a signal of continued killing of elephants in the country,” said Katumo.

This is despite the campaign to stop the crime.