A Ugandan national suspected of trafficking narcotics has been extradited to Kenya and will remain in custody as investigations continue.
In a statement on Tuesday, August 5, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) confirmed that the woman, identified as Hellen Ikareut, was brought back to Kenya to face charges related to a 2023 drug trafficking incident.
"A Nairobi court has granted an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to detain a Ugandan woman extradited to Kenya over suspected drug trafficking offences.
"Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi, presiding over the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) law courts, approved the DPP’s request to hold Hellen Ikareut in custody pending the completion of investigations under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act," the statement read.
According to the ODPP, the case stems from a suspicious shipment containing concealed narcotics intercepted over a year ago by authorities at JKIA.
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"Prosecuting Counsel John Tago told court officers from the Anti-Narcotics Unit intercepted a suspicious shipment on May 18, 2023, at the DHL cargo shed at JKIA."
"The consignment, reportedly sent by Ikareut from Kitengela, a Nairobi suburb, was destined for Chris Kagawa Manana Godaibiya in Bahrain. It contained 25 shower curtains concealing a greenish plant material, which upon verification, tested positive for narcotic substances," the statement added.
The ODPP revealed that investigations showed that Ikareut had left the country shortly after the package was sent, prompting an international manhunt.
"Following the discovery, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Anti-Narcotics Unit seized the parcel as evidence.
"Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had fled to Uganda shortly after the shipment, prompting the DPP to seek assistance from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) for her extradition," the statement further read.
Ikareut was arrested at the immigration section of Terminal IE at JKIA upon arrival in Kenya and formally handed over to the Kenyan authorities.
The prosecution requested time to complete crucial steps in the investigation, including laboratory testing and witness statements.
"Magistrate Gichobi ordered that the suspect be held at Embakasi Police Station for three working days to facilitate the weighing and analysis of the suspected narcotics by a government chemist, in her presence. The court also directed that statements from key witnesses be recorded during this period," the statement added.
The case is set for mention on Monday, August 11, when the court will give further directions.
