Police intercept Sh1.2 million worth of cocaine at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

By CYRUS OMBATI

NAIROBI, KENYA: A Tanzanian national was Wednesday arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport while trafficking cocaine valued at Sh1.2 million.

The man was also found with heroin valued at Sh105,000 that he had inserted into his rectum.

Police say he had originated from Tanga and went to Mombasa before flying to JKIA where he planned to connect to Antananarivo.

Airport CID boss Joseph Ngisa said he was intercepted at JKIA and put on observation room where he emitted the 16 pellets of cocaine and two pellets of heroin.

"We have so far taken him to court and he is in remand. We will not allow this airport to be used as a transit point for drugs," said Ngisa.

Such cases are on the rise and the traffickers seem to be changing tactics to avoid being detected. They usually insert the pellets into their rectum before taking their flights. But Ngisa said they have heightened their operations to curb the business.

In March this year, four Tanzanians were arrested at the airport after they were caught with heroin valued at Sh4 million.

They all pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges. Three women and a man were each charged separately with one offence of trafficking in narcotic drugs.

They had entered Kenya via Namanga border and were en route to Hong Kong when they were arrested at JKIA.