Narok County Ranger in Charge of Operation, Patrick ole Ligerai, said they made the arrests after trailing two lorries ferrying the poles after the lorries downloaded them in a compound belonging to the suspect. [Photo/citizentv.co.ke]
Three suspected loggers have been arrested in Narok after seizing over 5,000 cedar poles worth Sh3 million from the Mau forest.
The poles were traced to the home of one of the suspects who managed to evade a police dragnet.
The three were arrested by forest rangers from the county as an ongoing operation to curb rampant illegal logging in the region intensifies.
Narok County Ranger in Charge of Operation, Patrick ole Ligerai, said they made the arrests after trailing two lorries ferrying the poles after the lorries downloaded them in a compound belonging to the suspect.
The suspect and drivers of the lorries are being held at Narok police station. Ligerai said they will continue with the operation to ensure that all those involved in illegal logging in Mau Forest are dealt with according to the law.
The county official said the syndicate was well organized with loggers, pole makers, and transporters as well as loaders who conduct the business clandestinely under the cover of darkness.
He, however, noted that illegal logging in Mau forest has gone down since police intensified operations against the activity.