An Indian national who was allegedly attempting to smuggle a consignment of narcotics worth Sh20 million (Rs 44 crore) from Nairobi was intercepted at Kozhikode airport in Kerala, India.
The 27-year-old was intercepted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), carrying 3.5 kilograms of cocaine and 1.3 kilograms of heroin.
A kilo of cocaine can fetch at least Sh5 million in Kenya. The value varies depending on the country.
Officials said Rs 44 crore can be translated to Sh773 million in India. The drugs were found hidden in shoes, jars and purses strapped under his luggage, the local media said.
The drugs were seized from a resident of Musafar Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, officials said.
A further probe has been launched on the matter as the suspect remains in custody.
This is the latest string of incidents to happen in recent days putting officials at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on the spot.
They are all said to have originated in Nairobi.
Sources said the seizure is a warning Kenya is now a major transit route for the narcotics probably destined for Europe and Asia.
But the detectives said the latest trend of seizures of narcotics locally points to a dangerous scenario that needs attention from authorities.
