Alfred Gathecha, a suspected ivory smuggler arrested in Laikipia in possession of 23 elephant tusks
A suspected ivory smuggler and Sipili based businessman in Laikipia County has been arrested in possession of 23 Elephant tusks weighing over 110 kilograms have been recovered in Laikipia County and one suspect identified as Alfred Gathecha, arrested.
The lucrative wildlife trophies with ready demand in the black market involving trans-boundary syndicate weighed 113.75 kilograms with an estimated street value of Sh11million.
According to preliminary police findings, the tusks are suspected to have been ferried from Churo in Baringo County but were intercepted at Mahiga area, within Sipili Township in Laikipia County yesterday.
In a sting operation conducted by sleuths attached to the Serious Crime Unit domiciled at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the 47-year-old man was seized arrested at Sipili area in Kirima Sub-County, after a vehicle ferrying the tusks was intercepted.
According to detectives, the profiled wildlife trophy smuggler posed as well-oiled businessman engaged in the clandestine underworld dealings was arrested shortly before 1pm yesterday.
Gathecha was booked at Rumuruti police station pending arraignment today.
The consignment was concealed inside maize sacks.
In estimation, at least 12 elephants and calves have been poached and killed from the seized illegal consignment since the ivory were of different sizes.
The suspect is set to be arraigned today to answer to charges of dealing in endangered wildlife species contrary to section 92(2) of the wildlife conservation and management act of 2013.
