An Indonesian national has been arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after he was found in possession of Ksh10 million worth illegal goods.
In a statement on Tuesday, October 10, the Kenya Airports Authority noted that security officers nabbed the individual during mandatory passenger screening.
Further, the authority detailed that the Indonesian national, who was aboard flight KQ 571, was carrying 38.4 kg of ivory valued at Ksh10 million.
The suspect had since been arrested and the ivory seized and impounded by the Kenya Wildlife Service.
“A vigilant KAA security team manning JKIA’s Terminal 1 C discovered the illicit cargo during mandatory passenger screening.
“Swift action by the KAPU led to the suspect’s arrest, & the seized ivory was impounded by the Kenya Wildlife Service, dealing a blow to the illegal ivory trade,” the statement read in part.
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Charges on Possession of Ivory
In a separate incident in February 2023, two men were charged before a Mariakani court for dealing in wildlife trophies of an endangered elephant species worth Ksh3.2 million.
Notably, the two were found in possession of eight pieces of elephant tusks weighing thirty-two kilograms, concealed in a nylon sack transported on a motorcycle.
The two pleaded not guilty and were each granted a Ksh500,000 bond with one personal surety.
Also Read: Foreigner Nabbed at JKIA With Heroin Worth Ksh3.2M
Elephant hunting was once permitted in Kenya, but it was outlawed along with the ivory trade in 1973.
However, due to the international demand for elephant tusks, illicit poaching activities persist. This endangers the elephant population, which is declining.
Recent Foreigner Smuggling Arrests at JKIA
Earlier on October 3, officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) impounded drugs valued at Ksh9 million at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), headed for Indonesia from Comoros.
In a statement, DCI noted that the drugs were discovered hidden inside bicycle sandals in a cargo that was full of shoes.
Interpol operations were launched to identify the individuals behind the illicit trade for arrest and prosecution.
“Over 1kg of methamphetamine drug concealed inside bicycle saddles was today impounded at the Jomo Kenyatta Intn’l Airport after a consignment bound for Jakarta, Indonesia was flagged.”
