Illustrative photo of elephant horns -
WILS YANICK MANIENGUI AFP
A Kenyan national accused of trafficking in rhino horns and elephant ivory was extradited on Monday to the United States, where he faces a heavy prison sentence.
The 60-year-old man was arrested in the port of Mombasa by Kenyan authorities in July 2020, upon his arrival from Yemen.
He is accused of having been involved in the poaching of horns and ivory from more than 35 rhinos and 100 elephants, two endangered species.
He had also been charged with heroin trafficking, Manhattan prosecutor said in a statement.
Ten tons of ivory and 190 kg of horns
Two of his alleged accomplices had been extradited to the United States in recent months: a Liberian, in June 2019, and a Guinean, in April 2020. Another alleged accomplice, also Kenyan, is still wanted, according to the prosecutor.
All are accused of having, between December 2012 and May 2019, sold some 10 tonnes of ivory and 190 kg of rhino horns from various countries in East Africa.
Their market value is valued at over seven million dollars and buyers reside in the United States and Southeast Asia.
A suspect risks life imprisonment
The suspected traffickers sent the merchandise by hiding it in particular in African works of art, masks or statues, according to New York investigators.
The statement cites a "confidential source" who would have had discussions with them for potential purchases, and would have allowed the authorities to intercept several packages, in 2018, containing rhino horns.
The prime suspect has been charged with wildlife trafficking, money laundering, and heroin trafficking.
These last two offenses expose him to particularly heavy penalties, up to life imprisonment for heroin trafficking.
Planet
Thailand: endangered Siamese crocodile seen in park
Bordeaux
Nouvelle-Aquitaine: The LPO launches an appeal for donations for its reception center for wild fauna
World
Kenya
United States
Rhinoceros
elephant
Traffic
Ivory
Poaching