Kenya extradites wildlife trafficking suspect to US

Kenyan police have extradited a wildlife and drug trafficking suspect to the US.

Abdi Hussein Ahmed, alias Abu Khadi, was wanted over his alleged involvement in the poaching of over 35 rhinoceros and more than 100 elephants.

He was indicted alongside three others in the US "for participating in a conspiracy to traffic in rhino horns and ivory, both protected wildlife species, valued at more than $7m [£6m]", according to Kenya's Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

The DCI on Sunday said the suspect had been extradited the previous night to the US "to answer to his crimes".

He was arrested on 30 August in eastern Meru county following "a tip-off from the public after the US had offered about $1m reward for information leading to his arrest".

A court in Kenya issued orders for his extradition on 31 August, the DCI said.

In May, Kenya arrested and extradited another drug trafficking suspect, Badru Abdul Azia Saleh, to the US.

This article originally appeared in BBC News

Photo: Twitter/ @DCI_Kenya