The Directorate of Criminal Investigation has recovered precious cassiterite minerals worth Ksh 15 million which were stolen from a Mombasa-bound truck on transit from Congo on Saturday, May 9.
The agency also arrested two suspects in connection with stealing the minerals weighing 15 tonnes, on Friday, May 22.
Cassiterite is a tin oxide mineral. It is generally opaque, but it is translucent in thin crystals. Its luster and multiple crystal faces produce a desirable gem.
"Investigations into the loss of the said product were taken over by the DCI after Northern Corridor patrol officers questioned an accident by a Trakana Company Ltd truck they found lying along Nairobi-Mombasa highway.
"The seals had been tampered with and of the Ksh 250M worth of consignment it was ferrying, 15 tonnes were missing," DCI tweeted on Saturday, May 23.
The two suspects, 68-year-old Julius Gikonyo Mwangi and Stephen Kariuki Ndirangu, 50, further led detectives to Salgaa where they had hidden the entire cargo.
The detectives are also investigating whether the truck driver collided with the suspects to steal the minerals.
"Further investigations revealed that the truck driver, Omar Juma, 45, sold the products at Salgaa, before proceeding to Salama area along Nairobi-Mombasa highway where he faked an accident.
"He is being sought as the two suspects remain in custody pending arraignment," DCI announced.
