Suspected Kenyan Drug Trafficker Mansur Mohamed Extradited to the US

Suspected Kenyan drug trafficker, Mansur Mohamed Surur, alias Mansour, has been extradited to the US to face charges.

This comes a month after a Nairobi court okayed the extradition of the 60-year-old, following an application filed by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji.

Milimani law courts Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku ruled that the application by DPP was merited, and directed the fugitive be held in custody 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, 2020, 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.

On Monday, New York District Attorney, Audrey Strauss said Mansour is part of an international syndicate that has been evading law enforcement officers for years.

“…Surur is alleged to be a member of an international conspiracy to traffic in rhino horns, elephant ivory, and heroin. The enterprise is allegedly responsible for the illegal slaughter of dozens of rhinos and more than 100 elephants, both endangered species. The excellent work of the Fish and Wildlife Service and the DEA has put an end to this operation,” Audrey said.