Chinese Man Arrested for Smuggling Ants

0:00It's March 12th. Here's your global news in two minutes. A Chinese national named John K. Koon has been arrested at Jomokanyada International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya for trying to smuggle more than two thousand live Queen Garden Ants to China. Authorities found 1,948 ants packed in test tubes and another 300 hidden in tissue paper rolls inside his, luggage during a security check. These connected to an ant trafficking ring that Kenyan officials broke up last year. These ants, known scientifically as Mesoer cephalotes, are protected under international biodiversity rules because they are important for soil health and ecosystems. Demand for them as exotic pets is rising in Europe and Asia where collectors keep them in captivity. Last May, a Kenyan court made history by sentencing four people. Two Belgians, a Vietnamese man and a Kenyan, to one year in prison or a fine of seven, $1,700 for a similar smuggling attempt.

1:02Investigators now believe John was the mastermind of that earlier operation and escaped Kenyan last year using a different passport. On Wednesday, the court approved examining his phone and laptop for more evidence and allowed his detention for five days. Meanwhile, Kenyan wildlife service officials expect more rest soon as they expand their probe into Ann Harvesting in other parts of the country. Thanks to our sponsor for helping bring you this episode. Your favorite podcasts, music or sleep sounds coming from your pillow, no earbuds, no distractions, listen and relax, S-O-L-L-I, solely pillow.com.