Police nab lorry ferrying sandalwood worth Ksh.15M in Samburu

A multi-agency team comprising officers from National Police Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Kenya Forest Service have seized a lorry hauling 30 tonnes of the rare Sandalwood.

The lorry was nabbed at the Suguta area in Samburu Central on Friday.

Samburu County Police Commander Samson Ogello said the security team found the lorry hidden in a bush following a tip-off from a local chief.

Detectives believe the lorry was headed towards Nyahururu town.

Ogelo said that a number of items including; a National Identification Card, a weighing machine, nine passport sized photographs of different people and cooperative bank ATM cards were found in the vehicle.

“We are yet to find owner of the lorry and we are searching for the driver also, we are asking members of the public to report whenever they see someone transporting sandalwood so that we can take an action to stop this menace.” he said.

Kenya Forest Service County enforcement Officer Geoffrey Okeyo warned people dealing in illegal sandalwood business and those who are leasing off their vehicles to be used in the crime.

“I issue a stern warning against those people who are dealing in this illegal business of sandalwood and those whose vehicles are being used in the business, those in car hire business you are supposed to know at all times where your vehicle is.” he said.

He said the team will work and cooperate with members of public and act on information in order to succeed in the fight against the vice.