The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has revealed a new trick used by importers to bring in illegal drugs into the country.
In a statement on Tuesday, October 3, the directorate noted that it impounded drugs valued at Ksh9 million at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
According to DCI, the drugs, headed for Indonesia from Comoros were hidden inside bicycle sandals in a cargo that was full of shoes.
Further, the officers noted that they found one kilogram of methamphetamine drug.
“Over 1kg of methamphetamine drug concealed inside bicycle saddles was today impounded at the Jomo Kenyatta Intn’l Airport after a consignment bound for Jakarta, Indonesia was flagged.
“The drug estimated at over Ksh9 million was stashed among other items declared as bicycle accessories in a consignment being shipped from Moroni, Comoros,” the statement read in part.
Also Read: Two Prison Warders Arrested While Sneaking Drugs into Industrial Area Remand Prison
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Methamphetamine is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system.
Crystal methamphetamine is a form of the drug that looks like glass fragments or shiny, bluish-white rocks.
DCI Narrates How the Operation Succeeded
DCI narrated that the operation was successful thanks to officers deployed at the immigration department to tackle such issues.
Subsequently, the directorate said the officers noted that the cargo was suspicious and was parked at a DHL shed for verification.
“Lynx-eyed operational detectives deployed at the airport to tackle immigration crime and suspicious cargo had converged at the DHL shed for a verification exercise.
“Brown packages with a white crystalline substance were found concealed in eleven saddles. Upon testing, the same tested positive for methamphetamine,” added the statement.
Interpol operations were launched to identify the individuals behind the illicit trade for arrest and prosecution.
“The war against abuse and trafficking of narcotics and psychotropic substances has heightened in the country, and the DCI warns that the Kenyan soil will remain a hostile ground for perpetrators, irrespective of their status in the country,” noted DCI.
Also Read: NACADA Reveals Drugs Causing Zombie-Like Effects Among Youth
Drug Abuse Concerns in Kenya
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) on September 10, issued a report that raised an alarm over a drug substance suspected to be behind zombie-like stances among users in Kenya.
NACADA determined that the Kenyan youth were turning to using multiple substances to complement heroin a trend aimed at complementing the potency of heroin which according to studies has reduced.
“We can comfortably confirm that so far, we do not have any reported FENTANYLY case in the country,” NACADA stated.
According to NACADA, the zombie-like symptoms were either caused by high dosage of heroin or combination of heroin and high dosage of Diazepam and Amitriptyline.
