This archive report was first published on 30 July 2019.
On July 30, 2019, a multi-agency team of officers from Kenya Wildlife Service and National Police Service conducted a raid in Makobeni area, Rabai location, Kilifi, at 5:45 am, following a tip-off.
During the raid, they impounded 35 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 182.2 kilograms, valued at Sh18,220,000. The tusks were found stashed in sacks.
Two prime suspects, John Chisiwa Ngoma and Mwachi Mgaza, were arrested and will be charged in Kilifi the following day.
Police boss David Maina stated that the elephant tusks might have been stolen from Tsavo National Park and neighboring ranches, where poachers have killed elephants.
"We are trailing the two suspects who are on the run and we want to send a strong warning to poachers that we are up to them as our surveillance team are on the lookout," said Maina.
Just a day prior, KWS intelligence team arrested six suspects in Taru area with a live pangolin creature, highlighting the ongoing issue of wildlife poaching in Kenya.
