NAIROBI — On March 17, 2026, Zhang Kequn, a Chinese national, and Charles Mwangi, a Kenyan man, appeared in a courtroom in Nairobi and were charged with unlawfully dealing in wildlife species after authorities found them in possession of hundreds of live ants stored in specialized tubes. The two men were also charged with conspiracy to commit a felony.

Zhang Kequn and Charles Mwangi were arrested on March 10, 2026, after authorities found them possessing 1,948 garden ants stored in specialized tubes and an additional 300 ants in tissue rolls. Prosecutors said the suspects did not have the permits required under Kenya's wildlife conservation laws to handle or trade in wildlife species.

According to prosecutors, Zhang Kequn purchased an initial batch of 600 garden ants from Charles Mwangi for 60,000 Kenyan shillings. Prosecutors said Zhang Kequn purchased a subsequent batch of 700 garden ants from Charles Mwangi for 70,000 Kenyan shillings. Charles Mwangi faces a separate charge after he was allegedly found with additional live ants.

"They have seen potential that they are able to sell outside the country, they believe that they can make a living out of it," said David Lusweti, an attorney for Zhang Kequn. Lusweti said the suspects did not know they were breaking the law. Zhang Kequn and Charles Mwangi remain in custody.

In 2025, two Belgian teenagers were charged with wildlife piracy after authorities found them in possession of 5,000 ants stored in test tubes. Kenyan authorities said the insects seized from the Belgian teenagers were destined for markets in Europe and Asia and valued the 5,000 ants at 1 million Kenyan shillings.

In 2025, a Kenyan man and a Vietnamese national were charged with illegal trafficking for possession of 400 ants. The Kenya Wildlife Service said such activities "not only undermine Kenya's sovereign rights over its biodiversity but also deprive local communities and research institutions of potential ecological and economic benefits."