NAIROBI, Kenya — Detectives have arrested a wanted Kenyan woman at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after she was allegedly found with cocaine worth an estimated Sh13.53 million while preparing to fly to Bangladesh.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said Jane Waithera Wateri, who had been on the radar of detectives since last year over suspected narcotics trafficking, was intercepted at the airport as she prepared to leave the country.
According to the DCI, Wateri was carrying 3,383 grams of suspected cocaine concealed in three small bags.
Suspect Intercepted Before Flight
Wateri was intercepted by detectives from the Kenya Airports Criminal Investigations (KACI) following a stop order issued by the National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau (NANIB).
The stop order was issued over allegations linking her to trafficking in narcotic drugs.
Detectives searched her luggage and recovered three small bags containing suspected narcotics, according to the DCI.
A preliminary field test allegedly returned positive for cocaine.
The consignment weighed approximately 3.383 kilogrammes and had an estimated street value of Sh13,530,720, the agency said.
Wanted Since Last Year
The DCI said Wateri had been on the law-enforcement watch list since last year as detectives pursued investigations into suspected narcotics trafficking.
Her arrest at JKIA came as she attempted to travel to Bangladesh.
She is currently being held at JKIA Police Station as investigators pursue further leads.
Detectives Probe Wider Drug Network
Detectives from NANIB and the Financial Investigations Unit (FIU) are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspected drug consignment.
The agencies are seeking to establish whether Wateri was acting alone or was connected to a wider narcotics trafficking network.
The financial investigations are also expected to help detectives establish possible financial links associated with the suspected trafficking operation.
The DCI said investigations remain ongoing.
DCI Warns Against Airport Drug Trafficking
The Director of Kenya Airports Criminal Investigations, Ms B. Kanyai, MBS, DSM, AIG, said KACI would continue working with other law-enforcement agencies to prevent Kenyan airports from being used as transit points for illicit drugs.
She warned people involved in the narcotics trade against attempting to use Kenya’s airports as gateways for trafficking.
The DCI said those found engaging in illicit narcotics activities would face the law.
