A 29-year-old Taiwanese national has been arrested at the Isebania One Stop Border Post (OSBP) in Migori County after officers intercepted suspected heroin concealed in his luggage during a routine security check.

The suspect, identified as Wang Hsiang-hui, was attempting to enter Kenya from neighbouring Tanzania when he was flagged by security officers.

According to investigators, the interception was made after a K9 detection dog signalled the presence of suspected narcotics in one of the traveller’s bags.

“Wang Hsiang-hui, a 29-year-old Taiwanese national, was making his entry into the country from neighbouring Tanzania, blissfully unaware that Kenya’s border security apparatus leaves zero room for drug cartels,” DCI said in a statement.

“His journey hit a dead end during a routine security check when a vigilant detection dog caught a whiff of trouble, freezing beside a bag and signalling a positive hit on a suspicious package concealed inside.”

Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) officers immediately conducted a thorough search of the luggage and recovered 26 carefully wrapped capsules containing a brown powdery substance weighing approximately 18.26 grams.

Preliminary field tests identified the substance as heroin.

The suspect was arrested at the scene and is being held in police custody as detectives finalize investigations ahead of his arraignment in court. The recovered narcotics have been secured as exhibits.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the arrest underscores the effectiveness of coordinated border security operations in combating drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to working with partner institutions to strengthen border surveillance, disrupt drug trafficking networks and protect communities from the harmful effects of narcotic drugs.