A woman found transporting sandalwood worth Sh2 million to an unknown destination was arrested by police in Bahati, Nakuru County.
The woman suspected to come from Samburu County was arrested with the consignment in Maili Saba area along the Nakuru-Nyahururu highway on Wednesday.
While confirming the incident, Nakuru North Sub County DCI boss Wesley Langat stated that police managed to intercept the vehicle after a tip off from the public.
Moreover, Sandalwood is an endangered tree species facing extinction in Kenya.
According to Mr Langat, the woman who is currently in custody was driving a black Toyota Prado Registration KDC 299D. He also reported that the suspect refused to disclose her destination.
After searching the vehicle, the police officers established that it was carrying about 500 Kilograms of suspected sandalwood with an estimated street value of Sh2 million.
“She was arraigned in court today, but she could not take plea. We requested the court for more days to conduct investigations to ascertain the source and destination and the correct value of the sandal woods,” Mr Langat added.
Furthermore, this arrest comes after Samburu East sub-county Police Commander Juma Ombata was arrested last month after he was found ferrying sandalwood logs in a police vehicle.
The suspect was arrested in Wamba, Samburu East, after officers who were acting on a tip-off intercepted the vehicle.
Nevertheless, the high demand for sandalwood comes as it is used as traditional medicine, woodworking, rituals, pharmaceuticals and making perfume.
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