Mombasa authorities arrested 60-year-old Mansur Mohamed Surur, a Kenyan citizen sought by U.S. authorities for wildlife trafficking and drug-related crimes, at Moi International Airport on Wednesday.
Surur, also known as "Mansour," faces charges including involvement in the illegal trade of rhino horns and elephant ivory valued at over Sh700 million ($7 million). Law enforcement sources allege he participated in the poaching of more than 35 rhinos and 100 elephants between December 2012 and May 2019.
The suspect was among 47 Kenyans returning from Yemen on a Chartered Skyward Express flight when he was detained. A police report stated he was flagged as a fugitive for ivory-related offenses and taken into custody at the airport. He was later transferred to Interpol Nairobi for further action.
Surur and co-defendant Abdi Hussein Ahmed, aka "Abu Khadi," are also wanted for money laundering and conspiracy to distribute over 10 kilograms of heroin between August 2018 and May 2019. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration records list both as fugitives.
Investigations reveal Surur was part of a transnational criminal network operating in Uganda and East Africa, trafficking wildlife products to buyers in the U.S. and Southeast Asia. The group allegedly used art objects like African masks to conceal rhino horns and ivory shipments, with transactions involving international wire transfers and cash payments.
