By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Kenya, 3 July 2026 - Three foreign nationals have been charged with the unauthorised possession and illegal dealing of emeralds valued at approximately KSh 19 million following their arrest by detectives investigating illegal mining and mineral smuggling.
In a statement released on Friday , the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said detectives from the Anti-Illegal Mining and Smuggling Investigations (AIMSI) unit arrested the suspects on 30 June 2026 after they were found in possession of 74 grams of raw emeralds.
Milton Ivan Espana Diaza United States national, Luis Carlos Garcia Ayala from Colombia, and Manuel De Jesus Arevalo Rodriguez from Mexico.
According to the DCI, preliminary investigations established that the three did not have documentation showing the origin of the minerals. Investigators also found that they lacked the required mineral dealer's or trading licences issued by the State Department for Mining.
The trio was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate's Court in Kibera,where they were charged with dealing in minerals without a valid dealer's licence and unauthorised possession of precious minerals.
The court released each suspect on a bond of KSh 500,000 with a surety of a similar amount,or an alternative cash bail of KSh 200,000, with one contact person required. The court also directed that the accused surrender their passports pending the hearing and determination of the case.
The DCI said the prosecution forms part of its ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal mining and mineral smuggling, warning that individuals who exploit Kenya's mineral resources outside the legal framework will face prosecution.
Authorities stated that they have intensified enforcement operations against illegal mining activities as the government seeks to safeguard the country's mineral wealth, improve traceability in the extractives sector and ensure compliance with mining laws.
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