Anti-narcotics authorities in the Kenyan Coast arrested a woman for trafficking a kilogram of heroin from Mombasa to Malindi.
Detectives intercepted the female suspect, who is believed to be a narcotics distributor and seized a substantial quantity of narcotics suspected to be heroin.
The suspect had undertaken a narcotics procurement mission in Mombasa and was apprehended while returning from her journey, according to law enforcement sources.
Following her arrest, the accused appeared before the Malindi law court on October 19, where she pleaded not guilty to the charge of trafficking narcotic drugs. The court has scheduled the ruling on her bond for October 26, 2023.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of a recent National Drug Survey conducted by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), revealing the widespread misuse of prescription medications.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) conducted operations resulting in the apprehension of traditional drug dealers who were found in possession of various prescription pills, highlighting a potential shortage of heroin.
The report also underscores an increase in subscriptions for harm reduction clinics, particularly in the coastal city of Mombasa, where methadone maintenance treatment is used to address opioid dependence.
Opioid-dependent individuals receive daily methadone doses, either in liquid or pill form, to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings for opioids. The report identifies commonly abused medications, including codeine, dextromethorphan, noscapine, morphine, caffeine, ketamine, and papaverine.
In response to these challenges, the government is exploring measures to combat the proliferation and availability of such medications in the market. Law enforcement agencies have intensified their efforts to address the drug menace.
Moreover, police suspect that the supply of narcotics, particularly heroin, which is wreaking havoc in Mombasa, originates from a yet-to-be-captured key suspect. These drugs are believed to infiltrate nightclubs and certain hotels, making them accessible to both local residents and foreign tourists.
Some of the individuals involved in drug peddling are also associated with criminal groups engaged in muggings in areas like Kisauni, Bombolulu, Majengo, and Likoni.
Furthermore, law enforcement agencies allege that a well-known male drug peddler in Mombasa has been smuggling drugs from Tanzania. The suspect, residing in Kikambala, reportedly operates an intricate money laundering scheme to legitimize the proceeds from drug trafficking.
Detectives claim that the peddler has faced multiple arrests for his involvement in drug trafficking, often securing his release on cash bail. He is believed to be linked to the 92 kilograms of heroin seized in September 2017, one of the largest drug consignments ever intercepted.
A kilogram of heroin can be cut with various agents, making it accessible to a large number of individuals, resulting in continued usage over extended periods.
