Editor's Review

A foreign national who dramatically fled Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after being caught with narcotics has been arrested.

A foreign national who dramatically fled Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after being caught with narcotics has been arrested.

In a statement on Sunday, July 27, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the suspect, 57-year-old Wong Hiu Fung, had just arrived from Bangkok, Thailand, when the events unfolded at JKIA.

"What began as a smooth arrival turned into a botched vanishing act for 57-year-old drug trafficker Wong Hiu Fung, who landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from Bangkok, Thailand, and tried to leave more than just his baggage behind," the statement read.

According to the DCI, Wong was cleared by immigration officers and proceeded to the baggage hall to collect his two large suitcases.

However, as he entered the customs screening area, he faked a phone call and disappeared.

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"Upon being cleared by immigration officers, Wong proceeded to the baggage hall, collected his two sizable suitcases, and made his way to the customs screening zone. 

"But just as officers began inspecting his luggage, he pulled a 'fake phone call' trick, and vanished into thin air, leaving his suspiciously bulky bags behind," the statement added.

File image of narcotics recovered from the suspect

The unexpected disappearance raised suspicions and when customs officers inspected the abandoned luggage, they found the drugs.

"Inside the abandoned luggage, Anti-Narcotics Unit detectives discovered 41 sachets of cannabis sativa weighing a total of 41.7 kilograms, expertly concealed but not clever enough to outwit the trained eyes at JKIA," the statement further read.

The escape triggered a swift manhunt with detectives tracking Wong to a hotel in South C, Nairobi, where he was arrested.

"His escape, however, was short-lived as detectives, leveraging forensic leads, trailed him down to a hotel in South C, where his freedom came to an abrupt end," the statement read.

Wong was arrested and taken back to JKIA Police Station, where he is currently being held ahead of his appearance in court to face drug trafficking charges.