Briton, Kenyan charged with trafficking Sh598m cocaine

A file photo of British National Jack Wolf Mariana when he appeared at the Kibera Law courts on August 5, 2016. He was charged with trafficking 99.7Kgs of cocaine worth 598 million shillings concealed in a container at the port of Mombasa. Photo/Jack Owuor
A file photo of British National Jack Wolf Mariana when he appeared at the Kibera Law courts on August 5, 2016. He was charged with trafficking 99.7Kgs of cocaine worth 598 million shillings concealed in a container at the port of Mombasa. Photo/Jack Owuor

A 31-year-old Briton and a Kenyan were yesterday arraigned before a Kibera court and charged separately with trafficking Sh598 million cocaine.

Jack Wolf and Roy Mwanthi appeared before senior resident magistrate Derrick Kuto and denied the charge.

The two allegedly tried to traffic 99kg of cocaine through the Kilindini Port in Mombasa on July 29. The drugs were concealed as sugar from Brazil enroute Uganda.

Through his lawyer Andrew Wandabwa, Wolf asked the court to release him on reasonable bond terms with an alternative of a cash bail.

Wandabwa said Wolf has cooperated with the police. He said Wolf presented himself on Wednesday to record a statement despite being released on a free bond.

Wandabwa said this shows Wolf is not a flight risk.

“Wolf has lived in Kenya since he was four years old and both his parents and siblings live in Kenya,” Wandabwa said.

Wolf allegedly wanted to apply for Kenyan citizenship.

The defence said the consignment from Brazil was packed by the seller and shipper.

Wandabwa said Wolf is an employee and director of Mshale Uganda Ltd

and was not notified of the contents.

“Neither the accused nor the company he works for is involved in the offloading,” he said.

“The prosecution has not presented a strong enough case to interfere with the court’s discretion in granting bond,” he said.

State counsel Angela Okallo opposed Wolf’s release on bond saying

he is a flight risk.

She said the police are pursuing other company representatives, and if Wolf is released, he might interfere with witnesses.

Mwanthi is a director of Inland Africa Logistics Ltd.

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