Wanted female drug mule nabbed at JKIA with cocaine valued at Sh13.5 million

In a recent operation at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), authorities apprehended a woman from Kenya who was attempting to smuggle a significant quantity of cocaine out of the country. Jane Waithera Wateri, the suspect, was caught red-handed as she attempted to board a flight to Bangladesh.

Detectives from the Kenya Airports Criminal Investigations (KACI) made the arrest after receiving an order from the National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau (NANIB) to stop her. The woman was intercepted as she prepared to depart the airport. Upon her apprehension, a search of her belongings revealed three small bags concealed with suspected narcotics.

Tests conducted on the bags yielded positive results, confirming the presence of cocaine. The narcotics weighed approximately 3,383 grams, which had an estimated street value of Sh13,530,720. Wateri, who has been on law enforcement's radar since last year, is currently in custody at JKIA Police Station. The case has been handed over to detectives from NANIB and the Financial Investigations Unit (FIU) for further investigation to uncover the full scope of the alleged narcotics trafficking network.

Speaking on the matter, B. Kanyai, the Director of KACI, emphasized the agency's commitment to safeguarding Kenyan airports from becoming a hub for narcotics trafficking. KACI, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, remains steadfast in their mission to prevent such illicit activities. Kanyai warned that anyone attempting to exploit the country's airports for the illegal narcotics trade will be dealt with severely.

In light of this successful operation, officials have intensified security measures at airports to curb the drug trafficking menace. Cocaine and heroin are the most frequently trafficked narcotics. The incident highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat drug smuggling and protect the nation from the detrimental impact of narcotics.