Laikipia: Detectives intercept elephant tusks, arrest suspect

By , K24 Digital
On Thu, 25 May, 2023 11:01 | < 1 min read
Intercepted elephant tusks in Laikipia County. PHOTO/DCI

Detectives from Serious Crime Unit on Wednesday, May 24 intercepted elephant tusks weighing over 110 kilograms in Laikipia County and arrested one suspect identified as Alfred Gathecha.

In a statement, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the 47-year-old man was arrested in Sipili area in Kirima Sub-County after a vehicle ferrying the tusks was intercepted.

"Posing as well-oiled businessmen who rule the underworld, the sleuths lured the suspect before tightening the noose around him, shortly before 1 pm yesterday," DCI said in a statement.

Demand for elephant tusks

DCI said the suspect will be arraigned in court to answer to charges of dealing in endangered wildlife species contrary to section 92(2) of the wildlife conservation and management act of 2013.

"Elephant tusks fetch a fortune in the black market as a surge in demand for ivory in the east continues to fuel the illicit trade in elephant tusks, especially from Africa," DCI stated.

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