DCI hands over another wildlife trafficking suspect to American authorities

DCI Boss George Kinoti. [File, Standard]

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has extradited a wanted wildlife and drug trafficking suspect to the United States of America.

The suspect, Abdi Hussein Ahmed alias Abu Khadi, was handed over to the American authorities on Saturday, September 4, 2022.

Sources close to the investigations have told The Standard Abdi was arrested and detained in Meru County on Tuesday, August 30.

His arrest was a result of a tip-off from the public after the US had offered about Sh100 million [$1m] reward for information leading to his arrest.

According to the DCI, in a social media post, the suspect was extradited following orders issued by Hon Roseline Aganyo, at the Milimani Chief Magistrate's Court on August 31, 2022.

"Ahmed is wanted in the U.S after he was charged in an indictment alongside Moazu Kromah, aka "Ayoub," aka "Ayuba," aka "Kampala Man;" Amara Cherif, aka "Bamba Issiaka;" and Mansur Mohamed Surur, aka "Mansour," for participating in a conspiracy to traffic in Rhinoceros horns and Elephant ivory, both protected wildlife species, valued at more than Sh700 million ($7 million USD)," the DCI has said.

The suspect and others were arrested following a joint investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

They were sentenced to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.

DCI say the suspect was involved in the illegal poaching of more than 35 rhinoceros and more than 100 elephants.

Abdi's arrest comes about four months since his accomplice, Badru Abdul Aziz Saleh, was nabbed.

At the time, U.S. officials said security agencies received a tip from the public that led to the arrest of Saleh in Liboi, Garissa County.

An embassy statement said U.S. and law enforcement officials cooperated to apprehend Saleh.

In 2019, Saleh was arrested for drug trafficking but released on bail.

A statement by the U.S. State Department said he was a fugitive with an outstanding warrant for his arrest. A federal grand jury in New York indicted him in 2021.