Court slaps suspects arrested with ivory with Sh23.7m fine
What you need to know:
- According to the KWS, Sh23.727 million was paid as court fines, with fines ranging between Sh250,000 to Sh3 million for each of the suspects.
- Majority of those arrested trafficking the illegal trophies were from China, with others from Vietnam, and Malaysia.
- Other seized miscellaneous trophies include ivory, pangolin scales, wildlife skins, and teeth among others.
Suspects who were arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) with ivory and other game trophies between January and April 4 have been fined on a total of Sh23.7 million.
A total of 21 seizures were made during the period by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Canine Unit at the JKIA.
The suspects were arraigned in court and were either fined or jailed without an option of fine.
According to the KWS, Sh23.727 million was paid as court fines, with fines ranging between Sh250,000 to Sh3 million for each of the suspects.
Majority of those arrested trafficking the illegal trophies were from China, with others from Vietnam, and Malaysia.
Other seized miscellaneous trophies include ivory, pangolin scales, wildlife skins, and teeth among others.
One of those convicted, Liu Juntang, a Chinese national was handed 5 years imprisonment without an option of fine for being in possession of two ivory bangles and one ivory comb, all weighing 150g.
The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013 provides for stiffer penalties to those convicted and the KWS says this has acted as a deterrent to illegal trade on contraband game trophies.
