Five people have been arrested in Samburu for trafficking 1500 kilograms of Sandalwood.
The five John Kanyi, Johakim Lobolia, Thomas Lokuwatuba, Kelly Lobolia, and Francis Ekal Nadiko were arrested by detectives in Baragoi yesterday while moving the shipment along the Barsaloi-Masikita Road in Samburu North Sub-County, according to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
“The suspects were produced before Court in Maralal by a specialised Anti – Wildlife Crimes unit based at DCI Headquarters, where custodial orders for 3 days were granted to allow the detectives complete their investigations,” the DCI stated.
The government in 2007 outlawed the harvesting and selling of Sandalwood following increased exploitation of the aromatic tree whose roots are used to create medicines and cosmetics.
A blossoming illegal trade has emerged with rising demand for this commodity, Thus its inclusion on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species.
Experts made a breakthrough in August 2021 during a virtual meeting to raise awareness about the illegal sandalwood trade and its impact on the target communities.
The sandalwood tree in East Africa is on the verge of extinction since it was being illegally taken at an alarming rate.