Police have arrested two men in Mandera County after recovering an 18-foot python skin suspected to be linked to the illegal wildlife trade.
The suspects, identified as Harret Farah, 45, and Saraj Mohamed, 32, were arrested during a joint operation involving police officers and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) personnel in Rhamu Town.
Acting on intelligence, the officers raided a local guest house where they discovered the python skin, which authorities suspect the suspects intended to sell on the black market.
Officials at Rhamu Police Station estimated the wildlife trophy could fetch between KSh100,000 and KSh200,000, depending on its size and market demand.
The arrest comes amid ongoing efforts by security agencies to crack down on illegal wildlife trade and the trafficking of protected wildlife products.
