Kenyan, Nigerian and a Mexican charged in high-stakes drug lab bust

Israel Alvarado seated in between lawyer Kangahi Stanley and his Mexican interpreter during a court session. Israel Alvarado was charged with having operated a clandestine laboratory in Ololepo village in Namanga on December 11, 2024. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard] A Mexican national, a Nigerian known as Pastor, and a Kenyan woman are facing charges related to an alleged clandestine drug lab. The accused are Israel Alvarado Vera, Egwu Ogba Mba (a Nigerian), Ojukwu Awu alias Pastor (a Nigerian), and Betty Mukami Micheni (a Kenyan). They are accused of operating the alleged lab in Kajiado County. A clandestine lab is used to prepare synthetic drugs, including methamphetamine and MDMA (commonly known as "ecstasy"). READ: Revealed: Deadliest drug lab hidden in Namanga forest They also face charges of possessing precursor chemicals, including Methylamine, 40% Ethanol, Phenylacetone (99%), tartaric acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Acetone, and Toluene. Additionally, they are charged with being in possession of proceeds of crime. Egwu Ogba Mba is separately charged with unlawfully being in Kenya without the relevant permit. All the accused have denied the charges. Vienna Convention The prosecutor, Allen Mulama, argued that the Vienna Convention bars a consular from going beyond assisting her nationals. "We cannot have a foreign national with diplomatic status overseeing proceedings. The Vienna Convention on Consular Assistance allows the diplomat to appear and assist nationals from their country when they are facing charges. The assistance, however, does not extend to court proceedings. It would be absurd for the consular to be sworn in," Mulama argued. "The diplomat already owes allegiance to Mexico and therefore cannot be involved in these proceedings. Even if the diplomat is paid, will it be in a personal capacity, or will the Kenyan government be paying the Mexican government? This is an issue likely to be contested in higher courts, and we want to get it right from the start," he added. While opposing the DPP's plea for another interpreter, the defence team argued that the accused had been in custody for 63 days. Lawyer Stanley Kang'ahi, who is representing Alvarado in the trial, stated that the diplomat had become uneasy as her presence had become subject to litigation. ALSO READ: Revealed: Deadliest drug lab hidden in Namanga forest In the case, the DPP is opposed to granting bail to the suspects. Mulama argued that it would be unfair to release the accused persons on bail or bond, as they were foreign nationals facing charges related to trafficking illegal chemicals. He stated that investigations were ongoing beyond Kenya's borders. According to him, there was a high likelihood they would fail to appear in court, as the charges were serious and could result in hefty fines or jail time. Two passports The prosecutor also argued that Mukami had two passports, which immigration records indicated included one for India, where some of the recovered chemicals had originated. "From an investigator's perspective, it does not make economic sense for the 15th accused to have travelled to India, the origin of some of the chemical substances, and procured them at the prices she bought them, considering the travel time and expenses incurred," Mulama argued. He stated that Ogba was arrested on October 1, 2024, at his alleged residence in Lavington, following intelligence that had already linked him to the clandestine laboratory operations alongside Mukami and Alvarado.

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