Detectives are investigating the source of 2.5 kilograms of Methamphetamine valued at Sh20 million that were intercepted at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) while being trafficked to Seychelles.
According to police reports, the narcotics were seized at a cargo station within the airport after being sent by an unknown sender on Friday. Acting on intelligence, anti-narcotics officers intercepted the shipment, which was cleverly concealed in three African mosaic bags headed for Mahe, Seychelles.
Upon inspection, each bag was found to contain two packages of clear crystalline substances wrapped in black polythene paper. Subsequent tests confirmed the substances were Methamphetamine, a highly addictive synthetic drug.
No arrests have been made yet, but detectives are pursuing those responsible for dispatching the narcotics. Authorities suspect that more drugs could still be in circulation, as traffickers increasingly use Kenya’s main airport as a gateway for international smuggling operations.
JKIA officials have assured the public that enhanced surveillance and screening measures have been implemented to prevent similar incidents.
This seizure follows a major operation weeks earlier in which narcotics worth Sh8.2 billion were intercepted in the Indian Ocean. That bust was the result of six months of coordinated intelligence sharing between the Regional Narcotics Interagency Fusion Cell (RNIFC) in Bahrain and the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC) in Seychelles, with support from INTERPOL and the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
In that case, six Iranian nationals were arrested aboard a vessel at Kilindini Port and remain in custody following a Shanzu court order authorizing 30 days of detention for further investigations. The Government Chemist is currently analyzing the seized substances as detectives continue probing the international drug trafficking network.
Authorities have emphasized their commitment to dismantling transnational narcotics operations threatening Kenya’s security and reputation as a regional transport hub.
