A 42-year-old woman is in custody after she was arrested by a multi-agency security team ferrying 250 kgs of endangered sandalwood species estimated to be worth Ksh750,000.
Beth Wambui alias Ma Liam was arrested at Athi river while she headed towards Mombasa.
According to the Director of Criminal investigations (DCI), the pieces of wood recovered were concealed in the boot of her vehicle.
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"The suspect will be charged with dealing in endangered wildlife species contrary to section 92(2) of the wildlife conservation and management act," DCI said.
The aromatic tree is harvested illegally after the government outlawed its harvesting in 2007.
However, unscrupulous traders continue to uproot the tree, predominantly found in Baringo and Samburu counties.
The tree is harvested for its essential oil which is extracted to manufacture medicines and cosmetics.
It has been listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red list of Threatened Species.
