(Posted 13th November 2024)
Courtesy of African Elephant News and Nancy Odindo, Tuko
Police officers from Mtwapa Police Station, along with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers, have arrested two Tanzanian nationals allegedly involved in the illegal ivory trade. Paul Kuya and Paul Telek were nabbed from their hideout in Majengo, Mtwapa.
The suspects, identified as Paul Kuya (36) and Paul Telek (29), were apprehended in a hideout in the Majengo area of Mtwapa, where authorities uncovered eleven elephant tusks weighing 32.924 kilograms. How did officers recover the tusks? The tusks, valued at KSh 3.3 million, were packed in nylon sacks and concealed in three separate bags.
“In a well co-ordinated operation, police officers based at Mtwapa Police Station and officers from Kenya Wildlife Service in Mombasa have deftly netted two Tanzanian nationals for their involvement in the illegal trade of ivory. The sweep proved fruitful as they successfully recovered elephant tusks, valued at KSh 3,300,000,” said DCI. “They uncovered eleven elephant tusks, weighing 32.924 kilogrammes, cleverly concealed in nylon sacks within three different bags,” the authorities added. Investigations revealed that the suspects had travelled from Tanzania to Kenya through the Namanga border, intending to sell the contraband.
The two men are currently detained at Mtwapa Police Station, awaiting their court appearance. Meanwhile, the seized tusks have also been stored securely as evidence.
