Five individuals were detained in Samburu after being caught transporting 1,500 kilograms of sandalwood along the Barsaloi-Masikita Road in Samburu North Sub-County.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed the arrests, stating suspects appeared before a specialized anti-wildlife crimes court in Maralal. Detainees received three-day custodial orders to facilitate ongoing investigations.
Sandalwood harvesting and trade have been prohibited since 2007 due to overexploitation. The aromatic tree's roots are valued for pharmaceutical and cosmetic production, but illegal trafficking has intensified despite the ban.
Conservationists note the species' increasing scarcity has led to its inclusion on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species.
