Police in Samburu County, working together with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), have intercepted a lorry packed with an estimated five tonnes of illegal sandalwood in Ntunyus Village. The suspects fled before arrest, but the truck and consignment are now in police custody.
Highlights:
- Police and KWS officers intercepted a lorry carrying five tonnes of sandalwood
- Vehicle had fake number plates and was abandoned in a homestead
- Suspects fled after spotting patrol teams approaching
- Lorry impounded at Wamba Police Station as investigations continue
Main Story:
The Samburu Raid
Acting on intelligence gathered during patrol, officers from Wamba Police Station and KWS moved into Ntunyus Village on Thursday. At one homestead, they found a lorry disguised with fake number plates.
On inspection, the lorry was discovered to be fully loaded with sandalwood pieces, weighing close to five tonnes.
According to the homestead owner, both the driver and the suspected trader abandoned the vehicle and escaped upon noticing the police convoy approaching. Their identities are yet to be confirmed.
The lorry was towed to Wamba Police Station, where it remains impounded as police intensify their hunt for the traffickers.
Sandalwood trafficking remains a major environmental crime in Kenya, as the tree species is endangered and heavily targeted for illegal export. Law enforcement agencies continue to crack down on smuggling syndicates that exploit rural communities for profit.
The National Police Service reiterated its commitment to protect natural resources and pursue those behind the trade.
Read Also:
- 90kg Cannabis Haul Seized in Changamwe Police Bust
- Police Crack Down on Narcotics Trade in Migori
- Police Rescue Victim, Arrest Five in Ruaka Kidnapping
You Might Have Missed This:
- Over 400,000 Kenyans Secure Foreign Jobs Under Ruto’s Kazi Majuu
- Kisumu National Polytechnic Shut Down as Students Protest
- CS John Mbadi: University Funding Crisis Demands Urgent Action
Every lorry seized is a small victory against environmental crime now the real test is catching those who profit from Kenya’s endangered resources.
