INTERPOL IN HOT PURSUIT OF QATAR GIRAFFE SMUGGLER

By Florence Mugarula,The Citizen Reporter

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.

CREDIT: THE CITIZEN