Overview
- Chinese national Zhang Kequn, 27, was detained Tuesday at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport under a passport stop order after previously evading arrest last year.
- Officers tallied 2,238 live ants in his luggage, with 1,948 packed in test tubes and the rest wrapped in soft tissue rolls.
- The Kenya Wildlife Service told a court it is examining an iPhone and a MacBook recovered from the suspect to advance the inquiry.
- Authorities reported a same-day ant consignment seized in Bangkok traced to Kenya, and said the suspect named three suppliers, pointing to an organised trafficking network.
- Kenya permits licensed ant exports, yet complex rules and high hobbyist demand — with some queens selling near £175 — are driving illicit shipments.