Two Chinese nationals arrested at JKIA attempting to export live crabs worth Ksh.1.2M

Two Chinese nationals were on Thursday arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for attempting to illegally export 5,703 kilograms of live crabs valued at Ksh.1.2 million. 

The crabs were conveniently packed in 282 boxes destined for export to China. 

The suspects were arrested following a multi-agency operation between Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Customs officers based at the airport and detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). 

KRA said the pair lacked proper fish exporting licenses and could not explain the source of the crabs. 

“Upon questioning, a clearing agent from Drenal Enterprises Limited informed the officers that the consignment originated from Kilifi County and was booked for export to China by Weida Investment Limited,” the taxman said in a statement. 

“The clearing agent presented permit documents from the Kenya Fisheries Services (KFS) that were declared non-authentic by KFS.”

The consignment is currently being held in custody as KRA awaits further instructions from KFS.