A Chinese national has been arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi after authorities discovered more than 2,000 live queen garden ants concealed in his luggage, Kenyan officials confirmed.
The suspect, identified as Zhang Kequn, was intercepted during a security check while attempting to board a flight to China. Prosecutors told the court that the ants were carefully hidden in test tubes and rolled tissue paper inside his luggage. Investigators reported that 1,948 ants were packed in specialized test tubes, with an additional 300 concealed in three rolls of tissue paper.
The ants, scientifically known as Messor cephalotes, are protected under international biodiversity agreements, and their trade is strictly regulated. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has previously warned of increasing demand for the species in Europe and Asia, where exotic ants are kept as pets by collectors.
Authorities believe Zhang may be connected to a larger ant-trafficking network that was dismantled in Kenya last year, and further arrests are anticipated as the investigation continues. A court has authorized prosecutors to detain him for five days while detectives examine his electronic devices and continue their probe.
Officials warned that the removal of queen garden ants from the wild could damage local ecosystems, as the species plays a critical role in maintaining soil health and biodiversity. The arrest highlights Kenya’s ongoing efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and protect endangered species.
