Detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit have apprehended a 27-year-old woman at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after discovering two kilograms of bhang concealed in her luggage.
The suspect, identified as Quinter Achieng Matengo, was intercepted while en route to Doha, Qatar. According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the arrest was made following heightened suspicion during routine luggage screening conducted by Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) staff in collaboration with the anti-narcotics team.
“Working closely with KAA staff, who flagged suspicious items during luggage screening, detectives intercepted the suspected drug trafficker bound for Doha, Qatar,” the DCI revealed in a statement.
Further investigations revealed the illicit drugs were hidden within packets of maize flour in an attempt to evade detection. The suspect was subjected to interrogation before being handed over to the anti-narcotics unit for processing.
“Upon weighing the recovered drugs, they were securely stored as evidence while the suspect was prepared for arraignment,” police confirmed.
The arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking at Kenya’s main airport. Authorities continue to urge vigilance among airport staff and the public to assist in identifying and apprehending drug traffickers attempting to use Kenya as a transit point.
Matengo is expected to face charges related to drug trafficking as investigations into her network and operations continue.