A 41-year-old woman was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Saturday, October 4, after detectives foiled her attempt to smuggle cocaine to Dubai. The suspect was intercepted minutes before her scheduled flight.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the woman had concealed several pellets of cocaine inside her body in a desperate bid to outwit airport security. Detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit flagged her for additional screening after suspecting unusual behavior.
“The trafficker, 41, had turned herself into a smuggling vessel, concealing several pellets of cocaine inside her body,” the DCI confirmed in their statement.
Subsequent scans revealed the illicit cargo hidden internally. Under medical supervision, the suspect later excreted three pellets of cocaine, confirming detectives’ suspicion. She was immediately placed in police custody as investigations continue ahead of her arraignment in court.
The arrest has once again raised concerns about JKIA being used as a major transit hub for international drug trafficking. Several similar cases have been reported at the airport this year alone.
In May, DCI officers arrested a 25-year-old woman attempting to smuggle cocaine to Doha, Qatar. The suspect was stopped during a routine check, and a search of her luggage revealed a white powdery substance wrapped in yellow tape. Tests confirmed it was cocaine.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to intensify surveillance and intelligence operations at JKIA to curb drug smuggling. The DCI has also urged travelers to avoid being lured into the risky business of drug trafficking, warning of severe legal consequences.
The 41-year-old suspect remains under police custody, with detectives finalizing investigations before presenting her in court.
