Interpol in hot pursuit of Qatar
giraffe smuggler
By Florence
Mugarula,The Citizen Reporter
Posted Monday, November 24 2014 at 09:12
Posted Monday, November 24 2014 at 09:12
IN
SUMMARY
·
Interpol seeks
information on a man who is accused of paying for transportation of more than
100 live animals from Kia to Qatar in an army jet
·
The
joint report released by the Interpol and UN environmental programme recently
shows that illegal wildlife trade and environmental crimes is worth an estimate
of between Sh112 and Sh320 trillion ($70 and $213 billion) annually.
Dar
es Salaam. The Interpol has issued an arrest
warrant for the prime suspect in the smuggling of live giraffes
from Tanzania to Qatar.
The
international police has appealed for information to help them seize Mr Ahmed
Kamran, who is accused of recently paying for the transportation of more than
100 live animals, including giraffes and impalas by a military plane from
Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) to Qatar.
In
its alert at the weekend, Interpol said, it was also looking for eight others
in the list of most wanted suspects in environmental
crimes.
“Interpol
is asking for public help in tracking down nine suspects on that list,
sometimes all it takes is a fresh pair of eyes to bring new momentum to an
investigation and provide the missing clue which will help locate these wanted
individuals, some of who have been evading justice for years,” said Mr Ioannis
Kokkinis, an Interpol criminal intelligence officer.
Other
suspects in the released list include Kenyan Mr Feisal Ali who is wanted over
ivory trafficking, Mr Adriano Giacobone, Mr Ben Simasiku, Mr Ariel Bustamante
Sanchez, Mr Bhekumusa Mawillis Shiba, Mr Nicolaas Antonius Cornelis Maria, Mr
Sergey Darminov and Mr Sudiman Sunoto.
It
is reported that in November 2010, at least 136 live animals were loaded into
the Qatar military jet at KIA. The mission was made successful by the prime
suspect, and other KIA officials.
According
to the witness confession in court, the jet flew back to Qatar in November 26,
2010 with 14 species, worth Sh182 million.
Police
investigation report indicate that the deal involved six masterminds,
comprising government officials, foreign businessmen, airport security
personnel and airport ground handlers.
According
to the certificate of valuation of smuggled trophies released by a game
officer, Mr Oscar Julius Lipili, four giraffes were among the illegally exported
animals.
Others
are six live Oryx, 68 Thomson’s gazelles, two impalas, and 10 dik diks, three
elands, 20 Grant’s gazelles, seven kori bustard, four ground hornbill, two
lapet faced vulture and serual cat respectively. Also live secretary bird, five
spring hares and two black verreoux Eagles were among species loaded in the
military jet.
So
far at least four people have been charged at a Moshi court with illegal
exportation of live animals. Mr Kamran was charged but vanished while on
bail.
