This archive report was first published on 9 October 2019.
On Tuesday, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) officers made a significant arrest in the fight against charcoal smuggling. A notorious charcoal transporter was apprehended with 350 bags of charcoal in Makinnon Chini area of Kwale County.
The arrest was made after concerned members of the public reported an illegal charcoal collection point to the authorities. A joint operation involving officers from the Head of Conservancy's office Mombasa, led by Regional Commandant SP Harrison Afwata, Ecosystem Conservator Kwale County, and Police officers from Mackinnon Road Police, had been ongoing in the area for the past four days.
Two suspects, Daniel Ngumbi, the owner of the lorry, and Justus Musyoka, the charcoal owner, were arrested and booked with the lorry, registration number KAZ 255L, which was loaded with 350 bags of charcoal. The lorry will be arraigned in court today.
During the joint operation, the authorities also discovered 486 bags of charcoal awaiting collection. Arrangements are underway to retrieve them.
Published on October 9, 2019, at 11:29 am.
