Nairobi Court Okays Extradition of Kenyan Wanted in the US on Drug-Related Charges

A Nairobi court has okayed the extradition of a 60-year-old Kenyan man wanted in the US for drug-related charges.

Milimani law courts Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku on Friday ruled that an application by the Director of Public Prosecution for the extradition of Mansur Mohamed Surur, alias Mansour, is merited.

“Upon hearing applicant on behalf of the office of the DPP in the presence of the respondent and counsel, orders are hereby issued for the extradition and surrender of the respondent, Mansur Mohamed Surrur alias Mansour from the republic of Kenya to the US in accordance with the provisions of Section 9 of the Extradition (Contiguous and Foreign Countries) Act, CAP 76, Laws of Kenya,” she ruled.

The court directed the fugitive be held at Evergreen Police Station in Nairobi until 15 days expire in line with the law before he is extradited to the US.

The court heard that US authorities issued an arrest warrant against Surur following his indictment by a New York court for conspiracy to commit wildlife trafficking, money laundering, and conspiracy to distribute and possess narcotic drugs.

Surur was arrested on July 29th this year upon landing at Moi International Airport in Mombasa from Yemen in a chartered flight.

The prosecution told the court that police were investigating how he left the country despite an alert issued by Interpol. He is believed to have left the country through South Sudan and subsequently to Yemen.

The DPP said he received an extradition request from the US and is also seeking the arrest of Surur’s accomplice, Badru Abdul Aziz Saleh alias Badro, who was arrested in June 2019 but vanished after he was freed on bond. 

Surur, a dual citizen of Kenya and Yemen, is wanted by US authorities for involvement in drug trafficking and illegal trade of rhino horns and elephant ivory worth Sh700 million ($7 million). The crimes led to the poaching of over 35 rhinos and more than 100 elephants.

He was previously indicted for money laundering, and conspiracy to distribute more than 10 kilograms of heroin to a buyer in New York.