Suspected drug and wildlife trophy trafficker, Mohamed Mansur, alias Surur, has claimed that he tapped into his compassionate side to airlift 33 Kenyans who were stranded in Yemen.
Referencing a video clip that was taken during his arrest in Mombasa on Wednesday, July 29, a report by The Standard indicated that he spent a total of Ksh2.1 milllion to airlift them to Mombasa.
The publication further indicated that shortly after his arrest at the Moi International Airport, Mansur noted that he was ready to face the charges labelled against him in the United States.
“I am being accused of trading in narcotics and wildlife trophies. If there is any evidence against me, then let them go ahead,” he stated.
The US had previously claimed that Mansur had vanished to Yemen where he was holed up for 2 years before he travelled to Mombasa.
In the clip, the fugitive is said to have confirmed travelling to Nairobi without informing his family explaining that he did not find it necessary.
He refuted claims of dealing in drugs and sale of Ivory as accused by the US noting that he was a well-known businessman in the sale of motor vehicle parts.
Mansur was arrested on July 29, by a multi-agency team in Mombasa at 1 a.m after he landed from Yemen on board a chartered aircraft.
According to the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mansur was wanted for the illegal trade of rhino horns and elephant ivory.
Since his arrest, his whereabouts have remained a mystery with reports claiming that he was handed over to Interpol.
Mansur's arrest adds to a growing list of Kenyan nationals accused of transnational crimes abroad.
The list include Abid Hussein Ahmed, who is said to have been Mansur's accomplice in the large scale sale of Wildlife trophies. He is wanted by the United States.
Others are Yagnesh Divani, accused of engineering a Ksh7.6 billion scandal at Triton Oil Company, and Adirizak Yusuf Adow who is associated with an arson attack at Malik Heights building along Ngong Road.
