Two men were on Thursday arrested by police in Mombasa after they were found in possession of ivory.
The duo, Ibrahim Ali and Japhet Bakari, were arrested at Mwembe Tayari in possession of eight pieces of elephant tusks.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWAS) assistant director for Coast conservation area Arthur Tuda said the trophies were impounded after a Mombasa bound bus from Kitale was intercepted by detectives and KWS officers.
Tuda said KWS has put in place strict measures to help curb the illegal business that has been on the rise is the recent past.
He, however, said those engaging in the illegal trade are evading arrest as they have come up with clever ways of concealing the tusks.
Tuda said the two suspects who were arrested on Thursday had concealed the trophies in sacks of maize but detectives nabbed them after receiving a tip-off from members of the public.
“This is a concern to us because they are now using food to hide the trophies but we are on the lookout. We will not allow this illegal business especially down here at the Coast. The two were from Kitale and are being held at the Central Police Station after being arrested within the CBD,” said Mr Tuda.
The arrest comes barely a day after two other suspects were arrested with ivory which they had concealed charcoal sacks.
Tuda noted that the suspects will be arraigned in court as investigations continue.