Nairobi Drug Bust: India’s Ksh1.2B Haul Triggers Concerns
Detectives from India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) have sounded the alarm about a potentially powerful drug smuggling cartel operating in Kenya that has moved drugs worth over a billion dollars through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) over the past month.
In the past three weeks, Indian authorities have arrested two Kenyans and three foreigners traveling from JKIA, the country’s primary airport, with at least Ksh1.2 billion worth of drugs, raising concerns about how they evaded security checks.
Indian authorities have increased security at the country’s primary entry points, setting traps for suspects transporting heroin and cocaine, which, according to reports, are sold in New Delhi and Mumbai.
Due to the sensitivity of the cases, an Indian detective who spoke to PoliticalPulseChat on the condition of anonymity revealed that some of the largest drug busts in August involved travelers coming from Nairobi or transiting through the city, indicating possible collusion with local security and airport officials due to the stringent security measures at JKIA.
While it remains unclear whether the drugs originated in Nairobi, Indian detectives have intensified their surveillance of passengers departing JKIA.
In the most recent drug seizure, an Indian national from Uttar Pradesh arrived at Kozhikode Airport in Thiruvananthapuram with opium and cocaine valued at Ksh773 million.
Authorities recovered the illicit substances he concealed in his shoes, luggage, and purse.
ALSO READ: Nairobi Man Busted with Ksh.773M Drugs in India After Leaving JKIA
Before arriving in India, the suspect departed from JKIA and connected through Sharjah, the third busiest airport in the United Arab Emirates.
It is unknown how the narcotics evaded detection at JKIA and UAE before arriving in India.
In a separate incident, two Kenyan women were detained with Ksh25 million worth of cocaine on August 24.
After arriving at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) with 1,698 kilograms of cocaine, the first lady was arrested. She had a flight to Mumbai, where she was scheduled to meet a Kenyan bidder, according to the authorities.
The DRI operatives then set a trap to capture the Mumbai purchaser. The police did not reveal the suspects’ identities.
According to Indian authorities, the woman flew with the narcotics from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi. Again, it is unknown how the woman evaded airport security or whether the narcotics originated in Kenya.
DRI officers have observed that the country intercepts narcotics from various nations, but there has been an increase in attempts by travelers departing JKIA.
Moreover, new techniques developed by traffickers may explain how some travelers have evaded JKIA officials.
On August 20, an Indian national and his Nigerian counterpart who was traveling from Nairobi to Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Maharashtra via Sharjah were apprehended for attempting to smuggle in drugs using a hollow metal roller concealed within a rectangular carton box concealed within his luggage.
Approximately 3.07 kilograms of an amphetamine-like substance with a street value of Ksh418.3 million (approximately Rs 24 crore).
“The DRI is committed to maintaining constant vigilance to thwart these syndicates,” the Indian government stated at the time.
Global Hotspot
In the past, American authorities have included Kenya on a list of centers for drug trafficking and money laundering, citing corruption and a lack of adequate controls.
Kenya is also strategically located, with one of the region’s largest airports functioning as a major hub for passengers and cargo.
Due to this, drugs and other unlawful items will likely evade security checks, putting JKIA on the radar of global security agencies and putting it at risk of being blacklisted.
JKIA, Kenya’s primary airport, receives over 7 million passengers and approximately Ksh300,000 tonnes of cargo annually, with 40 airlines connecting to key global destinations.
Kenyan Government
On Wednesday, it was revealed that Kenyan authorities are investigating the origins of narcotics that have been transported to India over the past month. Our source is the Kenyan government.
Mohammed Amin, director of criminal investigations, told the Star newspaper that a police unit within the unit was pursuing leads to apprehend the offenders.
Nairobi Drug Bust: India’s Ksh1.2B Haul Triggers Concerns
