U.S. nationals among foreigners arrested with precious minerals
U.S. nationals among foreigners arrested with precious minerals
Three foreign nationals have been charged after they were allegedly found in possession of emeralds valued at approximately Ksh19 million without the required documentation and mining licences.
In a statement on Friday, July 3, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the arrests followed investigations by detectives from the Anti-Illegal Mining and Smuggling Investigations (AIMSI) unit.
“Detectives from the Anti-Illegal Mining and Smuggling Investigations (AIMSI) have arraigned three foreign nationals over unauthorised possession of emeralds valued at approximately Ksh19,000,000,” the statement read.
The investigative agency further revealed the identities of the suspects and the circumstances surrounding their arrest.
“On June 30, 2026, Milton Ivan Espana Diaz from the United States, Luis Carlos Garcia Ayala from Colombia, and Manuel De Jesus Arevalo Rodriguez from Mexico were arrested with raw emerald weighing 74 grams,” the statement added.
According to investigators, the three were unable to provide the necessary documentation relating to the gemstones or authorisation to trade in minerals.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that these individuals lacked proper documentation regarding the origins of the minerals in question, as well as a mineral dealer’s or trading license from the State Department for Mining,” the statement further read.
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The DCI said the suspects were subsequently presented before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kibera to answer charges related to the alleged offences.
“Appearing before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kibera, the three faced two counts: dealing with minerals without a valid dealer’s license and unauthorised possession of precious minerals,” the statement noted.
The DCI added that all three denied the charges during their arraignment.
“They pleaded not guilty to the charges and were admitted to a bond of Ksh500,000 with surety of a similar amount, alternatively to cash bail of Ksh200,000 with one contact person,” the statement concluded.
In addition to the bond terms, the court ordered that the three accused deposit their passports in court as the criminal proceedings continue.
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