Sleuths from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have launched a manhunt for faceless dealers who attempted to smuggle methamphetamine drug through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Tuesday.
In a statement, the authority revealed that it was working with its counterparts from Interpol to track down individuals behind the burst valued at Ksh9 million.
The consignment destined for Jakarta in Indonesia was found concealed inside bicycle saddles.
"Lynx-eyed operational detectives deployed at the airport to tackle immigration crime and suspicious cargo had converged at the DHL shed for a verification exercise, where brown packages with a white crystalline substance were found concealed in eleven saddles," read the statement in part.
"Upon testing, the same tested positive for methamphetamine."
The drug, found stashed among other items declared as bicycle accessories in a consignment, was being shipped from Moroni, Comoros.
"The war against abuse and trafficking of narcotics and psychotropic substances has heightened in the country, and the DCI warns that the Kenyan soil will remain a hostile ground for perpetrators irrespective of their status in the country," declared the DCI.
Cases of trafficking of illegal substances either passing through Kenyan airports or ports have been on the uptick in recent months, with the preferred destination being India.
As recent as Monday, a 40-year-old woman from Kenya was arrested at Mumbai Airport trying to smuggle worth Ksh29 million.
The woman had hidden the gold in her innerwear and attempted to exit the airport when security pulled her aside.
She was subsequently nabbed with 17 pieces of 22-carat gold melted bars concealed in her innerwear.
“She was holding a passport issued by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland which was valid till 2032,” read the statement in part.
A spot-check by Kenyans.co.ke on August 31 also revealed that over Ksh1.2 billion worth of contraband had been seized so far in 2023 meant for the Indian black market.
