Detectives have arrested a suspected mastermind behind a series of criminal activities targeting unsuspecting bus passengers across Kenya and neighbouring countries.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed on Tuesday that the suspect, who has been on their radar for some time, was cornered following a spate of stupefying and theft cases were reported at Mombasa Central Police Station.
According to investigators, the man drugged passengers traveling to destinations such as Mombasa, Kisumu, Tanzania, and beyond. Victims would wake up hours later to find themselves stripped of their valuables and hard-earned money.
His crime spree came to an abrupt end at the Mariakani Weighbridge, where detectives intercepted a Nairobi-bound bus and nabbed him before he could strike again.
A search revealed a stash of incriminating evidence, including tablets of a psychoactive drug, soft drinks and snacks, which were believed to be laced with sedatives. He was probably planning to use these on unsuspecting passengers.
The suspect is now in custody, awaiting arraignment, as detectives move to link him with dozens of similar cases that have left many travelers stranded and financially devastated.
Meanwhile, the police have urged the public to remain vigilant when accepting food or drinks from strangers during long-distance travel, warning that such criminal schemes remain a threat to public health and safety.
How Stupefying Drugs Work
Many of the drugs used in such cases are sedatives that slow down brain activity.
Once mixed into food or drinks, they make a person unusually drowsy, confused, or even unconscious within a short time.
Because these drugs can also cause memory loss, victims often wake up hours later with little to no recollection of what happened, making it harder to identify the criminals or explain the theft.
When combined with alcohol or taken in large doses, the effects become even more dangerous, sometimes leading to breathing difficulties, coma, or even death.
