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Tag: drug smuggling

  • Suspect to pay Ksh7.8M or be jailed for 20 years for drug smuggling

    Suspect to pay Ksh7.8M or be jailed for 20 years for drug smuggling

    A man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison or a Ksh 7.8 million fine for smuggling narcotic drugs into the country.

    Samuel Muchile Makoba was found guilty on multiple counts, including trafficking of narcotic drugs, conveying and possession of prohibited goods, and possession of unaccustomed items.

    Trial Magistrate Hon. P. Karani, sitting at Vihiga Law Courts also ordered that the vehicle used in the operation be fortfeited to the State.

    The accused was arrested on January 2, 2025 at Ebusikhale village in Luanda township, Vihiga County, after authorities recovered super match king size cigarettes worth Ksh2.2 million, assorted alcoholic brands worth Ksh442,154 in taxes, and 48.55 kilograms of cannabis sativa valued at Ksh1.46 million.

    Other recent smuggling convictions

    At Sotik Law Courts, Philemon Ngeno was fined Ksh50,000 or six months in jail after being caught with Shakers Vodka affixed with counterfeit excise stamps worth Ksh105,940 in taxes. Ngeno was charged alongside Erick Kiprono Koech, who was acquitted.

    In Tana River County, Bashir Amhed Hassan and Jibril Hassan Karin each paid Ksh70,000 after pleading guilty to conveying uncustomed sugar using Toyota Probox cars, a violation of the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004. The arrests occurred on February 12, 2026 at Lango la Simba along the Garsen-Lamu highway.

    At Webuye Law Courts, Joseph Ekarant Emodo was convicted of smuggling 8,750 litres of ethanol valued at Ksh3.1 million in taxes.

    Ekarant had concealed the ethanol using 617 cartons of Top Long Life Milk and faces further sentencing after failing to appear in court.

    Senior Principal Magistrate Hon. V.J. Yator issued an arrest warrant and ordered forfeiture of the ethanol to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

    KRA, in partnership with other law enforcement agencies, has strengthened measures to detect, deter, and disrupt tax evasion.

    Business persons and transporters have been urged to verify consignments and documentation to avoid arrests, prosecution, fines, and seizure of vehicles.

  • Kenyan woman arrested in India with cocaine valued at Ksh 280M

    Kenyan woman arrested in India with cocaine valued at Ksh 280M

    In a major drug bust at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI) in Mumbai, India, a Kenyan woman was arrested on Thursday for her alleged involvement in smuggling cocaine valued at a staggering Ksh 280 million (Rs 14.90 crore).

    The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) reported that the arrest was made following intelligence-driven surveillance as the woman arrived on a flight from Nairobi.

    During a thorough examination of her luggage, authorities uncovered 1,490 grams of a suspicious white powdery substance, believed to be cocaine.

    According to DRI, the drugs were ingeniously concealed in two black-coloured polythene packets containing a white powdery substance, inside a hair conditioner bottle and a body wash bottle.

    Under the stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985, the suspect has been taken into custody and remanded for further judicial proceedings.

    The DRI emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing, with efforts to unravel any potential links in the wider drug supply chain.

    The discovery sheds light on the complex and evolving nature of international drug trafficking operations, prompting authorities to remain vigilant in their efforts to combat such illicit activities.

    This arrest serves as a stark reminder of the collaborative efforts required on a global scale to curb the menace of drug smuggling, with agencies like the DRI playing a crucial role in safeguarding national and international security.