Kilifi County police seize elephant tusks, arrest two Tanzanian nationals
Paulo Telek and Paulo Kuya, were apprehended with 11 pieces of elephant tusks hidden in nylon sacks on Monday
A joint operation by officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) headquarters in Mombasa led to the arrest of two Tanzanian nationals and the recovery of 11 elephant tusks in Majengo Township, Mtwapa. The intelligence-led operation, conducted earlier today, targeted the illegal wildlife trade in the area.
The suspects, identified as Paulo Telek and Paulo Kuya, were apprehended with 11 pieces of elephant tusks hidden in nylon sacks and distributed across three separate backpacks. The tusks, weighing approximately 32.9 kilograms, have an estimated street value of Ksh 3.3 million.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had crossed into Kenya from Tanzania via the Namanga border, allegedly in search of potential buyers for the contraband ivory. The arrest highlights the ongoing issue of cross-border wildlife trafficking, which remains a significant threat to endangered species.
The two suspects are currently in custody at Mtwapa Police Station. Authorities have confirmed that they will be arraigned in court tomorrow to face charges related to the possession and trafficking of illegal wildlife products.
This operation underscores the commitment of the KWS and local law enforcement agencies in cracking down on wildlife crime, protecting Kenya’s biodiversity, and upholding international wildlife conservation laws. Further investigations are underway as authorities work to dismantle the network behind the illegal trade.
