Police from India attached to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Sunday arrested a woman from Sierra Leone at the Mumbai International Airport after she was caught red-handed trying to sneak contraband into the Asian country.
Indian media outlets reported that the woman flew to India through Nairobi. She would upon arrival, be found to be in possession of 1.8 kilograms of cocaine worth Ksh197.9 million (Rs 19.79 crore).
The woman was arrested after police received a tip-off on the nature of items the suspect was carrying.
"We found the items she was carrying, like shoes, moisturiser bottle, and shampoo bottle were heavy and rigid. When we checked them we found white powder concealed in these items," an official from DRI stated.
According to the official, after noticing the unusual weight of the clothing items, they embarked on a search during which the drugs were seized.
The cocaine was concealed inside deodorant bottles, shoes and a bottle of lotion. The suspect had divided the contraband into sections which were discreetly hidden in the items.
Police later arrested and remanded her as investigations into a suspected smuggling network began.
Additionally, police are investigating how the lady managed to pass through airport security in Nairobi undetected while ferrying such contraband.
The Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substance, Act in India states that anyone found attempting to sneak in drugs faces imprisonment not less than 10 years and a fine not less than 158,800 (1 lakh).
Kenya has been put on the spot over increased cases of drug trafficking especially in India raising questions on security protocols at JKIA.
In January, a 36-year-old Kenya woman was arrested while attempting to smuggle drugs worth millions to India. She was arrested at the Indira Gandhi International Airport while travelling on a tourist visa to New Delhi.
Kenyans have also been linked to human trafficking.
Cases of Indian girls being duped into believing about the availability of non-existent jobs with salaries starting from Ksh200,000 have been on the rise.
Reports indicate that as soon as the girls arrive in Kenya, they are blackmailed into engaging in illegal activities on top of being assaulted by their captors.
