Chinese National Arrested in Kenya for Smuggling Over 2,000 Queen Garden Ants

A Chinese national, Zhang Kequn, was arrested at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for attempting to smuggle over 2,000 live queen garden ants to China

A Chinese national, Zhang Kequn, has been arrested at Kenya’s main international airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, after being accused of attempting to smuggle over 2,000 live queen garden ants out of the country. Authorities intercepted Zhang during a routine security check when a large consignment of live ants was discovered in his luggage bound for China.
Zhang has not yet responded to the allegations. However, investigators told the court that he is believed to be linked to a garden-ant trafficking network that was dismantled in Kenya last year. The queen garden ants, scientifically known as Messor cephalotes, are protected under international biodiversity treaties, and their trade is highly regulated due to the ecological importance of these insects.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) had previously warned about the rising demand for garden ants in Europe and Asia, where collectors often keep them as exotic pets. Prosecutor Allen Mulama told the court on Wednesday that 1,948 garden ants were discovered packed in specialized test tubes in Zhang’s personal luggage, while another 300 ants were concealed in three rolls of tissue paper. He further requested that Zhang’s electronic devices, including his phone and laptop, be subjected to forensic examination to assist with the investigation.
Duncan Juma, a senior official from KWS, stated that additional arrests were expected as investigators widened their probe to other towns in Kenya suspected of being involved in ant harvesting operations. Last May, a Kenyan court sentenced four individuals to one year in prison or fines of $7,700 (£5,800) for attempting to smuggle thousands of live queen ants out of the country. The four suspects—a Belgian duo, a Vietnamese national, and a Kenyan—had pleaded guilty following what KWS described as a coordinated, intelligence-led operation.
The Belgians reportedly told the court they had been collecting the ants as a hobby and were unaware that it was illegal. Investigators now believe that Zhang was the mastermind behind the trafficking ring but had evaded capture last year by leaving Kenya using a different passport.
On Wednesday, the court approved a five-day detention for Zhang, allowing detectives to conduct further investigations. The KWS, which usually focuses on the protection of larger wildlife such as lions and elephants, described the previous year’s ruling as a landmark case. Authorities emphasized the ecological significance of these ants, noting that their removal from local ecosystems could disrupt soil health and broader biodiversity.
It is understood that the intended destinations for the smuggled ants were the exotic pet markets in Europe and Asia, where the demand for queen garden ants remains high among collectors. The case underscores ongoing concerns about illegal wildlife trafficking in Kenya and the challenges of enforcing biodiversity protections against highly specialized and illicit trade networks.