Kwale: Government official arrested with 35 kg elephant tusks
By KNA, April 19, 2021
Police in Kwale have arrested a County Government official who was found in an illegal possession of 12 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 35 Kg.
Josphat Mtoi Kuri, a 53-year-old clerical officer at Kwale County Government was arrested Sunday, April 18, inside a local guest house.
Security officers drawn from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had been trailing him.
The undercover detectives disguised as customers arrested the suspect and handed him over to Police Headquarters in Kwale town for further investigations.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Community Warden Officer Omar Muichande has confirmed the incident.
The officers had posed as buyers after tracking the suspect for a long time before nabbing him on Sunday evening.
Kuri wanted to sell the tusks at Sh 100,000 each but they have a higher street value according to Muichande.
The KWS warden said the lone suspect is believed to have gotten the elephant tusks after poaching activities inside the Kuranze Ranches.
Police report reveals that tusks might have originated from Kuranze Ranches within Kinango where three Elephants are believed to have been killed.
The suspect is expected to be arraigned soon with possession of elephant tusks.