Detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) stationed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) arrested a suspected drug trafficker attempting to smuggle 2 kilograms of cannabis.
In a statement on Thursday, December 12, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the arrest was made in collaboration with Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) staff who identified suspicious items during routine luggage screening.
"While working with KAA staff who screened her luggage revealing the presence of suspicious items therein, the detectives intercepted the 27-year-old suspected drug trafficker who was to travel to Doha- Qatar," DCI said.
The investigating agency noted that after the initial interrogation, the suspect, Quinter Achieng Matengo, was escorted to ANU offices for a thorough search of her belongings.
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Inside the ANU offices, DCI stated that detectives discovered the cannabis hidden inside packets of maize flour, a strategy believed by Matengo to evade detection.
"Upon interrogation, she was escorted to ANU offices where a search of her luggage revealed that she had concealed the drugs inside maize flour packets - not knowing that hawk-eyed detectives would nip her plans at the bud," DCI added.
DCI said the confiscated drugs were secured in custody, while Matengo was processed pending arraignment in court.
This comes a month after three people accused of trafficking bhang were arrested and later arraigned in court.
The suspects are a General Service Unit (GSU) officer identified as police constable Kebeno Aminga Duke, Wycliffe Omwenga Mokaya (30), and Allan Machogu Nyarundia (25).
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspects were intercepted in the Karai area along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway on November 8, 2024.
"Acting on a tip-off, anti-narcotics detectives intercepted the two cars - Toyota Noah Reg No. KDB 190A and Toyota Fielder Reg No. KDL 731V - seizing the drugs weighing 50kg that were concealed in gunny bags," the DCI said.
