The US government has made an announcement offering Sh. 232 million bounty to anybody who aids in the arrest of two Kenyan criminals.
Abdul Hussein Ahmed and Badru Abdul Aziz Saleh are two Kenyan fugitives who are being charged with trafficking of wildlife and narcotics and are listed in the USA and Kenya as violators of the law.
They have however been on the run to avoid capture and sentencing. It is suspected that they are members of an international organized criminal network trafficking wildlife from Africa and illicit drugs from the USA.
The accused placed on the mega US bounty are being charged with conspiracy to smuggle at least 190 tonnes of rhino ivory and 10 tonnes of ivory. The ivory is valued at a whopping figure of $7 Million hence the $2 Million bounty which is being offered by the USA Department of State, US Department of Fish and Wildlife Service, and US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in conjunction with the Kenyan National Police Service. The two criminals are indicted further for allegations of distribution of approximately 10 kgs of heroin.
Acting US ambassador to Kenya, Eric Kneedler had this to say when making the announcement, “Eradicating drug and wildlife trafficking are priorities of the Biden Administration. We are grateful for the continued partnership of the Government of Kenya to capture and arrest members of these criminal networks.”
The US DEA had stated that Adi Hussein Mohammed who goes by the alias Abu Khadi is wanted for involvement in narcotics in addition to several other charges such as killing more than 35 rhinos and elephants for 200kgs of ivory with a value worth Kshs. 816 Million.
DCI Boss George Kinoti has requested that all sectors of the justice system work together in the arrest and prosecution of the two fugitives.
“America has played a great role in facilitating tracking of criminal networks. What we have here today is an example of our integrated approach that is oriented to deal effectively with these criminal networks.”
The US Department of Justice stated in an alert, “A trade involving endangered/threatened species violates several US laws as well as international treaties implemented by certain US laws.”
George Kinoti confirmed allegations that the suspects transported and distributed 1 kg of heroin from Kenya to the US.
“On June 14th, 2019, the United States Southern District Court of New York indicted the three individuals. Interpol issued a red notice in respect to the said suspects, Sahul Mansour Mohammed and Ahmed Abdi Hussein, while a warrant of arrest was issued in respect to Sahel Abdul.”
Saleh Abdul was arrested on June 11th, 2019, and arraigned at the JKIA law courts before being released on cash bail. Upon his release, he disappeared up to December 2019 when he vanished completely.
Individuals with information on the fugitive’s whereabouts are asked to contact the Fish and Wildlife Service at +1-844-FWS-TIPS or +1-844-397-8477 or email [email protected], or the Kenyan Directorate of Criminal Investigations Hotline at +254(0)800722203. Identities are kept strictly confidential.