A suspected drug trafficker was arrested in the Kibaoni area of Kilifi North Sub-County following a tip-off from members of the public.
According to police, the suspect was apprehended after officers from Kilifi Police Station acted on intelligence received from locals who had raised concerns about the suspect’s illicit activities in the area.
The officers
quickly launched an operation and laid an ambush that led to the arrest.
‘’Upon conducting a search, the officers recovered a nylon packet containing eleven (11) sachets of a substance suspected to be heroin, along with Sh 800 believed to be proceeds from the illicit trade,’’ NPS stated.
The suspect is currently being held at Kilifi Police Station pending further investigations and arraignment.
The suspected drugs and the cash have been secured at the same facility and will be used as exhibits during the trial.
NPS has lauded members of the public for their cooperation and timely sharing of information, which continues to play a key role in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking and related crimes.
Drug trafficking remains a significant concern in parts of the Coast region, with authorities ramping up efforts to dismantle the networks involved.
Police have assured residents of sustained operations aimed at
restoring safety and curbing the spread of narcotics in the area.
In late May, the DCI hosted a five-day anti-narcotics capacity-building workshop at the National Criminal Investigations Academy (NCIA).
The event brought
together investigators from across East Africa to explore strategies for
tackling challenges such as synthetic drugs, psychoactive substances, and
online drug trafficking.
The workshop also highlighted the growing problem of clandestine
drug labs and the movement of chemical precursors across borders.
Kenya’s strategic location and transport infrastructure have made
it vulnerable to international drug networks, with traffickers exploiting gaps
in border and maritime security.
Penalties
for offenders often vary depending on the amount of drugs one is found with.
They include
up to six months in jail or a fine when found with less than a kilo, to more
than 20 years in prison with a fine if found with what authorities can assess as
a “commercial quantity.”
Investigations are ongoing as police seek to establish the
source and potential distribution links connected to the recovered drugs.
