Police officers in Kilifi are holding two suspects who were found with elephant tusks valued at Sh.18.2 million.
The suspects were found in possession of the 35 pieces of tusks weighing 182.2 kilograms stashed in various sacks ready for transportation to an unknown destination.
Confirming the incident, Kilifi Police boss David Maina said that police are probing the matter.
He said that the suspects, who were later identified as John Chisiwa Ngoma and Mwachi Mgaza, were arrested after their accomplices fled from the scene of the crime.
The police said that the nabbed the suspects at 5.45am after they conducted a raid in Makobeni area Rabai location The police are expected to present the suspects in court on Wednesday following their arrest.
The tusks, which was valued at Sh18,220,000, are currently in the hands of the police. Maina said that the police are now following up on the suspects after the incident. He said that police have already been deployed to various locations to ensure that the suspects are arrested and charged at the court.
"We are trailing the two suspects who are on the run and we want to send a strong warning to poachers that we are up to them as our surveillance team is on the lookout," said Maina, as quoted by Standard.
The incidents occurred at a time when the government has warned criminals against the illegal business.