2 Prados Impounded in Lonyiek, Laikipia County For Sandal Wood Trafficking – KFS

Yesterday, a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado with Registration number KCB 538X was impounded at Lonyiek, Laikipia County after being involved in an accident due to over speeding. The vehicle was discovered to have been ferrying illegal forest produce (Sandalwood) by the first respondents, ASTU Police officers at Lonyiek.

The vehicle had one occupant, who had sustained injuries and was evacuated and is currently admitted at Nyahururu District Hospital under the guard of DCIO officers. The vehicle was towed and the case booked at Rumuruti Police Station.

The sandalwood in the ill-fated vehicle was recovered and is under the custody of DCIO Laikipia West Sub County.

Furthermore, while the ill-fated vehicle was being impounded, we received information of a suspicious motor vehicle, registration number KBP 240M parked in a nearby bush in Lonyiek.

The vehicle was discovered to have illegal forest produce, sandalwood, which was also impounded.

The vehicle had two occupants: Stephen Mungai and Francis Maina who together with the impounded vehicle were also booked at Rumuruti Police Station.

KFS is pursuing the two cases to ensure the perpetrators of the illegal forest activities are brought to book.

The Service has been conducting an operation in the area which has so far led to similar arrests and impound. Sandalwood is a highly endangered tree species and with the current moratorium on all logging activities in public and community forest lands, it is a criminal offense to undertake such vices.

More updates to follow.
Reported by: Ministry of Environment & Forestry

Their contacts are below are listed;

• Francis Maina: 0722391046
• Francis Maina: 0718137574

• Stephen Muigai Wanjiru: 0758213346
• Stephen Muigai Wanjiru: 0712921313
• Stephen Muigai’s Wife: 0722462557

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