Court Directs DCI, NTSA to Seize 12 High-end Cars In Drugs Probe
The High Court in Nairobi has permitted the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) to seize 12 luxury vehicles, pending an investigation, on the grounds that they are proceeds from the narcotic trade.
Justice Nixon Sifuna ordered the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to prevent the potential transfer of the vehicles and froze the suspects’ Ksh2.5 million.
ARA had petitioned the court for preservation orders pending the outcome of a forfeiture case.
A forfeiture entails the surrender of property to the government.
“I am satisfied that this is a case that warrants the preservation orders as sought,” Sifuna noted.
According to ARA, the agency became aware of the suspect Juma Olunga Wakhayanga after his siblings were charged with drug trafficking.
The judge has ordered the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to store the vehicles at their Kiambu Road headquarters until the outcome of the case is determined.
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ARA argued in court filings that the suspects failed to explain the source of large currency movements, raising the possibility that they were criminal proceeds.
ARA argued in court that the brothers moved at least Ksh63 million between last year and September of this year, which was inconsistent with the suspects’ explanation that they were salary and consulting earnings.
Authorities have linked some instances of drug trade and inexplicable large transactions to prominent politicians and businesspeople.
To stem the flow of illicit currency, banks and regulators require customers to explain the source of funds for transactions exceeding one million shillings.
Foreign powers, including the United States, have identified Kenya as susceptible to drug trafficking and money laundering due to lax controls and corruption.
Court Directs DCI, NTSA to Seize 12 High-end Cars In Drugs Probe
