Woman arrested at JKIA for attempting to smuggle Cocaine to India

Police on Friday arrested a suspect accused of trying to transport cocaine to Goa, India.

Police said the suspect was nabbed by Anti-Narcotics Unit detectives at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as she attempted to board a flight to Goa, India.

“Her travel plans hit turbulence when sharp-sighted detectives flagged her down for a routine check. A quick inspection of her luggage led to the discovery of two suspicious smaller bags tucked inside,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations said in a statement.

Police said that upon opening them, they found a white powdery substance neatly packed and wrapped in yellow cello tape.

A spot test confirmed the officers' suspicions, the results indicated that the powdery substance was Cocaine weighing 1.3 kilograms.

The suspect has been detained at the JKIA Police Station, undergoing processing, awaiting her court appearance.

The seized narcotics are being detained as exhibits.

This comes at a time when the country has heightened its efforts in fighting drug abuse.

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) conducted a narcotics crackdown in areas across the country.

In collaboration with a multi-agency team, the authority recovered a massive consignment of suspected cannabis sativa, popularly known as bhang.

The raid, executed on April 2 in Kiamuasi Location, Daraja Mbili Sub-Location, in Kisii, netted seven 50kg sacks, four 90kg sacks and two large carrier bags of the illicit substance concealed in rental houses.

Nacada said the prime suspect managed to evade arrest but remains a high-priority target for law enforcement.

Nacada CEO Anthony Omerikwa, however, said three suspects were apprehended during the operation and will be arraigned to assist with the investigation.

“We are not relenting in our pursuit of drug barons, their merchants and distribution networks,” he said

Omerikwa emphasised the agency’s unwavering commitment to dismantling narcotics syndicates.

“This seizure is a testament to our resolve. We will hunt down every individual profiting from the destruction of our youth and communities.”