Police in Busia have arrested a Ugandan national in possession of 42 kilogramme pieces of ivory valued at Sh4.2 million.
Speaking to the press at Busia police station last Thursday, Busia County Police Commander John Nyoike said the suspect was also found in possession of 35 kgs of bones whose value has not been established.
Nyoike said that police detectives acting on a tip off from members of the public found the items being sneaked into the country within Marachi area.
“We managed to arrest the owner of the consignment by the name Joseph Ndenga but set free the boda boda operator who was transporting them,” he said adding that the operator could not establish the content of the sack.
He added that the suspect is held in police custody to assist the police with further investigations and will appear before court on Friday.
“We shall charge him for being in possession of game trophies including the bones,” he said adding that the destination of the items had not been established.
The County police boss condemned the incident where a section of the local residents killed a hippopotamus adding that stray wildlife should be reported to the relevant authorities for appropriate action.
“We have Kenya Wildlife offices at Busia border Post and Malaba but cases of stray wildlife should be reported to police officers for quick action,” he said.
By Salome Alwanda
