Kenyan woman arrested with Sh15.6 million cocaine concealed in toiletries

Police in Moyale, Marsabit County, are on high alert with drug trafficking cases in the region skyrocketing and suspects devising new ways to evade arrest.

At least six drug trafficking cases have been recorded in the last month, with the latest being the seizure of 3.9 kilogrammes of cocaine worth Sh15.6 million from a suspect identified as Vivian Achieng Okello on Wednesday, May 8.

The suspect was arrested at the Moyale One-Stop-Border point while on her way back to Kenya from Ethiopia. Okello was flagged after police noticed her acting suspiciously through the way she latched onto her suitcase.

Upon inquiry, police found cocaine concealed in her toiletries, which were stashed in two smaller bags and also traced approximately Sh91,700 (700 US dollars) hidden under the inner soles of her shoes.

The suspect was expected to be charged and arraigned later today.

While confirming the incident, Moyale Sub-County Police Commander George Kipkoros told the Eastleigh Voice that he had stepped up efforts to contain the illegal business through intelligence-led operations, searches, and patrols.

The drug traffickers, he lamented, take advantage of the porous Kenya-Ethiopia border to sneak narcotics into the country and use all means, including swallowing the drugs for later ingestion, to make sure the consignments reach their intended destination.

They also recruit young Kenyan women to ferry the drugs, as they are less likely to be suspected compared to men.

"We have enhanced checks, patrols, and the collection of intelligence, as well as thorough searches on travellers coming to Kenya from Ethiopia," Kipkoros said, adding that they were also liaising with their colleagues in the neighbouring country to fight the menace and arrest offenders.

"We are not leaving anything to chance," he added, stating that local buses that ply the Moyale-Isiolo-Nairobi route are also being subjected to thorough searches before they leave Moyale town.

Meanwhile, Okello's arrest happened two days after a man abandoned Sh435,000 bhang stashed in sacks of beans at a bus booking office in Moyale town.

Foreigner detained in Mombasa 

In Mombasa County, detectives detained a foreigner amid increased efforts to crack down on drug trafficking in the port city.

The Mombasa-based Anti-Narcotic Unit (ANU) detectives apprehended the Nigerian citizen in possession of around 200 grammes of cocaine, estimated to be worth approximately Sh600,000 in street value.

Nigerian foreigner who was arrested in Mombasa in May 2024, in possession of around 200 grammes of cocaine, estimated to be worth approximately Sh600,000. (Photo: DCI)

Following an intelligence-driven operation, authorities arrested the suspect, identified as Victor Chinenye Ikonne, at his rented residence - White House Apartments - in the Utange-Kisauni area.

During a search of the premises, law enforcement discovered a quantity of a white powdery substance concealed in a polythene bag inside a drawer in the suspect's bedroom.

“Presumptive tests confirmed that the concealed powder was indeed cocaine, which was stashed alongside suspected repackaging materials,” a statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) read.

Various SIM cards from Airtel, Safaricom, Telecom, and MTN tech companies were also discovered. The suspect was transferred to the Port Police Station for processing before being formally charged.

Ministry of Health urged to explore harm reduction options

Meanwhile, public health professionals, on Wednesday, urged the Ministry of Health to explore harm reduction options while designing potential graphic health alerts for tobacco items.

Public health expert Dr. Vivian Manyeki highlighted the significance of the new graphic health warnings, emphasising that introducing harm reduction alternatives to tobacco products aligns with current scientific knowledge advocating for alternatives to traditional cigarettes.

Players in the tobacco industry also requested that the ministry categorise products differently when designing the proposed graphic warnings.

Public health experts discuss ways to improve graphic health alerts for tobacco items during a workshop held in Mombasa in May 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

The National Chairman of the Pubs, Entertainment, and Restaurant Association of Kenya (PERAK), Michael Kiragu, claimed that the ministry is applying a broad approach to all products, prompting their call for differentiation.

Kiragu noted industry consensus on the harmful effects of cigarettes on health and highlighted the classification of various nicotine products as harm-reduction alternatives for consumers.

“We urge the Ministry to adopt a realistic approach, considering that many warning labels are overly alarming and unsuitable for the Kenyan market,” he said.

The Chairperson of the Tobacco Control Board, Naomi Shaban, however, expressed the ministry's goal of raising awareness about tobacco's harmful effects and encouraging users to quit.

She emphasised the importance of the new graphic health warnings in achieving this goal, despite mixed public reactions calling for redesign due to their disturbing nature.

Shaban warned that rising tobacco consumption poses hazards to members of the public and urged them to be cautious with new tobacco products that are gaining popularity.

Chairperson of the Tobacco Control Board, Naomi Shaban, addresses public health experts during a workshop held in Mombasa in May 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)