MALINDI, Kenya — A 29-year-old suspected drug trafficker has been arraigned at the Malindi Law Courts after detectives recovered 255 kilogrammes of cannabis during an intelligence-led raid in Kilifi County.
Directorate of Criminal Investigations said the suspect, identified as Winfred Nkatha, was presented before the court following her arrest in the Jimba area. She pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted a surety bond of Sh2 million with no option of cash bail.
The court scheduled the matter for mention on April 23, 2026, when pre-trial directions are expected to be issued.
According to investigators, the arrest followed a targeted operation conducted by detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit in Malindi, working jointly with officers from Watamu Police Station. The team reportedly acted on intelligence linking the suspect to drug trafficking activities in the coastal region.
Detectives raided a residential house along Mwatela Road, off the Watamu–Gede Road, where the suspect was found inside. A search of the premises led to the recovery of eight sacks containing rolls of dry plant material wrapped in khaki paper, suspected to be cannabis sativa.
Authorities escorted the suspect and the recovered exhibits to Watamu Police Station, where the haul was weighed and sampled. Officers confirmed the total consignment at 255 kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of Sh7.65 million.
The seizure adds to a series of anti-narcotics operations along the Coast, where authorities have raised concern over the use of residential properties as storage points for illegal drugs before distribution to local and regional markets.
Investigators say cases involving narcotics trafficking often require coordination between intelligence units and local police stations to track supply chains and identify networks behind the trade.
Officials indicated that further investigations are ongoing to determine whether the suspect acted alone or was part of a wider trafficking ring.
The DCI reiterated its commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and safeguarding communities from the harmful effects of narcotics. The agency also urged members of the public to continue sharing information with authorities to support ongoing operations.
The case will return to court later this month as prosecutors prepare to outline the evidence and proceed to the pre-trial stage.
