Police in Busia, in collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Service, have recovered 10 pieces of ivory with a street value of Sh2.8 million.
Speaking to the press in his office on Friday evening, Busia County Criminal Investigation Officer Benson Omondi said that the illegal items were recovered at Mundika area within Busia Sub County.
‘Early today, we received a tip-off from members of the public that there were persons in possession of elephant tusks who were searching for a buyer, so we immediately organised a contingent of officers composed of CID team, officers from Busia police station and KWS, and laid an ambush within Mundika,’ he said.
Omondi added that the officers also arrested four suspects who were carrying a gunny bag whose contents were later found to be 10 pieces of elephant tusks with a street value of Sh2.8 million.
‘The suspects have been placed in police custody pending arraignment on Monday,’ he said.
He urged the local residents to desist from engaging in illegitimate trade, warning that they risked being arrested.
‘We also urge members of the public to volunteer information, which we will use in confidence in order to secure our County,’ he said.
At the same time, the official said there were three other cases in court of similar nature.
Source: Kenya News Agency