KRA: We helped Singapore seize Sh 564m Ivory haul
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) now says it aided the seizure of the Sh564 million ivory haul by Singaporean authorities on Tuesday.
KRA commissioner general John Njiraini said the seizure was facilitated by an alert issued to the Singaporean authorities by KRA customs team on April 28, 2015.
“The alert pinpointed the two containers based on a profile of shipments exported around the same time when the first illegal shipment of ivory was made,” said Mr Njiraini in a statement.
He added that KRA has established that the initial consignment was stuffed at Siginon Container Freight Station and thereafter transported to Kilindini vide truck registration number KNY 944.
“The cargo which was declared as tea destined for Dubai, entered Kilindini on 23rd March 2015, was loaded and shipped out on April 6, 2015,” he said.
SUSPECT SHIPMENT
“Post-shipment, several manifest amendments were made changing the destination from Dubai to Thailand and Vietman through Singapore. The amendments were not shared with Kenya Customs and these omissions are part of the issues being addressed with the shippers undertaken by the KRA team.”
KRA, Mr Njiraini said, identified and suspended the officer who handled the suspect shipment and that the roles of other KRA port based staff are being evaluated and appropriate actions will be taken as the relevant details emerge.
The directors of the exporting company, the truck owner and the truck driver are also being sought as part of the ongoing investigations.
The truck owner has provided statements to the investigation team but the driver is still at large. The directors of the exporting company have gone in hiding.