The Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) detectives have apprehended a suspected drug courier at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, an operation that authorities consider as a significant stride in the ongoing fight against international drug trafficking networks.
The 34-year old suspect, Muli Ayan Ndunge, had arrived from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia when the intelligence officers blocked her shortly after landing.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) revealed that she was escorted to ANU offices for further monitoring after she acted suspicious during the routine security checks.
“A drug courier’s daring attempt to slip into Kenya with a stomach full of cocaine ended at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, after a sharp-eyed Anti-Narcotics Unit detectives intercepted her moments after landing”, read the DCI statement posted on X.
After some interrogations and monitoring, Ndunge began expelling the narcotics. The agency stated that she emitted a total of 28 pellets which were later weighed and it was revealed that they weighed 912.74 grams, which is an estimated street value of sh3.65 million.
The suspect was later subjected to a medical scan with the aim of ensuring that no drugs remained inside her body. “A subsequent X-ray scan later confirmed her abdomen was clean, sealing the case with clinical certainty”, the DCI stated.
Ndunge is currently being held as investigations continue, and will later be arraigned in court to face drug-trafficking charges.
The arrest takes place few weeks after the occurrence of another major breakthrough by Kenyan security agencies in the Indian Ocean, in an operation that led to the interception of a stateless vessel in the East of Mombasa.
The vessel identified as MV Igol, was carrying over 1000 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at approximately Ksh8.2 billion. The authorities believe that the illegals were destined to be distributed within the region.
The Kenya Navy Deputy Commander Brigadier Kantale Kiswa together with Mohamed Amin, the DCI Director confirmed the interception and seizure during a joint briefing.
A Mombasa court later granted the state time to have the Iranians linked to the illegal drug trafficking detained as investigations continue.
The two incidents, according to the security agencies underscores the evolving tactics used by drug traffickers and also reaffirms the government’s high commitment in making sure that narcotics networks, both at entry points and international waters are disrupted.
