A Chinese man was sentenced Wednesday by a Kenyan court to eight months in prison or a fine of around 600 dollars (440 euros) for illegal possession of 65 kilos (143 pounds) of ivory.
Chinese national Wang Zheng (R) attends the Makadara Law Courts in Nairobi
Wang Zheng, 29, was also convicted of failing to inform the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) of his cargo when he was arrested at Nairobi airport on Monday night and of dealing in game trophies without a licence.
Wang on Tuesday admitted to illegal possession of 12 tusks and 278 pieces of carved ivory he valued at 4,300 dollars (3,200 euros) when he was arrested on arrival from Democratic Republic of Congo.
KWS earlier said that Wang tried to offer a 200-dollar bribe to its officers when he was arrested.
Kenya has in recent months arrested several people trying to smuggle ivory through the main Nairobi international airport as well as suspected poachers caught with huge amounts.
The illegal trade in ivory from African elephants is driven by Asian and Middle Eastern demand for the tusks used in traditional medicines and ornaments.
Source: www.kbc.co.ke/news.asp?nid=68490