Nairobi, Kenya – March 15, 2026 – Kenyan authorities have apprehended a 27-year-old Chinese national in a significant wildlife trafficking operation at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Zhang Kequn was intercepted while attempting to board an international flight with an illicit cargo of over 2,200 live giant African harvester ants (Messor cephalotes) concealed within his luggage.
Court documents reveal that immigration officials had flagged Zhang’s passport with a stop order due to his alleged involvement in evading arrest during a previous incident in Kenya last year. Upon inspection, authorities discovered 1,948 ants meticulously packaged in specialized laboratory test tubes, with an additional 300 specimens hidden inside tissue paper rolls within his suitcase.
The seized insects represent a species protected under international biodiversity conventions, with their trade subject to strict global regulations. Prosecutors have connected Zhang to an extensive ant-trafficking network that was previously dismantled in Kenya during 2025. Investigators are currently seeking forensic access to his electronic devices, including mobile phone and laptop, to expand their understanding of the smuggling operation.
The Kenya Wildlife Service has issued warnings about escalating international demand for these protected insects, particularly in European and Asian markets where exotic ant species command high prices among collectors. Officials indicate that further arrests are anticipated as investigations broaden to examine suspected harvesting operations in multiple Kenyan regions.
This case follows last year’s landmark prosecution where four individuals—including two Belgian nationals, a Vietnamese citizen, and a Kenyan—received sentences for attempting to smuggle thousands of live queen ants out of the country.