NAIROBI, Kenya: A convicted wildlife trafficker, formerly listed on an Interpol Red Notice, and his accomplice have been arrested in Kenya for illegally possessing rhino horn, authorities confirmed on Wednesday, reported Xinhua.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said in a statement that Kenyan national, Feisal Mohamed Ali, and his accomplice were arrested in the coastal city of Mombasa on Tuesday with two pieces of rhino horn weighing 2.2 kilogrammes (kg).
Ali, 58, and Mohammed Hassan Kontoma, 75, were flown to Nairobi, where their arraignment was postponed to Thursday after the magistrate allowed defence lawyers time to examine investigators’ affidavits.
KWS Director-General, Erustus Kanga, said the arrest and arraignment of Ali and his accomplice reaffirm Kenya’s commitment to combating wildlife crime and dismantling complex trafficking networks.
“We will continue to pursue traffickers relentlessly, no matter how long it takes, to safeguard our iconic species and protect Kenya’s heritage for future generations,” Kanga vowed.
He reiterated the KWS’ commitment to working with national and international partners, including Interpol and cross-border enforcement agencies, to ensure wildlife traffickers are brought to justice.
The two suspects were apprehended in Mombasa with two pieces of rhino horn while actively searching for a buyer.
Ali was first arrested in June 2014 in connection with 228 pieces of ivory weighing 2,152 kg that were seized in Mombasa.
At the time, Ali was described as one of East Africa’s most wanted poaching syndicate leaders. He evaded arrest during the seizure and was later placed on an Interpol Red Notice.
His arrest in Tanzania in December 2014 and subsequent extradition to Kenya marked a breakthrough in the country’s anti-poaching efforts.
In 2016, a Mombasa court sentenced him to 20 years in prison and imposed a fine of 20 million Kenyan shillings (about RM 656,580).
However, in 2018, the High Court overturned the conviction on technical grounds and acquitted him on appeal. – BERNAMA-XINHUA
