British snake smuggler jailed for 5 years

A Briton and his Kenyan accomplice have been jailed for five years by a Naivasha court for being in possession of six snakes. PHOTO/FILE

What you need to know:

  • The British citizen lives in Germany but works in South Africa where he manages a zoo at Kwa Zulu Natal
  • He was found in possession of six live Kenya horn viper snakes

A British snake smuggler and his Kenyan accomplice have been jailed for five years without an option of a fine by a Naivasha court.

The two were sentenced after pleading guilty to the charge of being in possession of six snakes on Monday.

The accused, Mr Simon David Harris aged 43, is a British citizen living in Germany but works in South Africa where he manages a zoo at Kwa Zulu Natal.

He was charged alongside Mr Richard Wangwe Adera.

They were found in possession of six live Kenya horn viper snakes at Fishers Camp in Naivasha District within Nakuru County last Sunday by Kenya Wildlife Service rangers and the Tourism Police Unit officers.

The prosecution stated that the two were planning to export the snakes to Germany and South Africa