Ukunda, Kwale County
Authorities in Kwale County have dismantled a covert narcotics laboratory operating in Diani’s Mwabungo Village, resulting in the arrest of two suspects, including an Italian national.
Italian and Kenyan Suspects Nabbed in Ukunda Raid
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed that Gianardi Giuliano, 37, an Italian national, and his Kenyan accomplice Moses Nanoka Egadwa were taken into custody following a well-coordinated operation by the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) and Kenya Police officers.
The raid, which was carried out after extensive surveillance and intelligence gathering, targeted a secluded one-acre compound believed to be the hub of an underground drug production operation.
What Police Found Inside the Secret Lab
Upon searching the compound, authorities discovered:
- Drug manufacturing equipment
- Chemical substances
- Packaging materials labeled with the names of known narcotics
- Sections of land allegedly used to grow cannabis
The DCI reported that the layout and infrastructure of the facility suggest the drug production had been ongoing for an extended period.
Cannabis Cultivation and Drug Processing Evidence
Notably, portions of the compound had been transformed into cultivation zones, pointing to the local production of marijuana, in addition to possible chemical narcotics being processed on-site.
The suspects are currently in police custody, awaiting formal charges to be filed in court.
Police Statement on the Diani Drug Bust
“The National Police Service (NPS) reiterates its commitment to dismantling drug networks and protecting Kenyan communities from the devastating impact of narcotics and the illegal drug trade,” read a statement from the DCI, published on their official social media platforms.
Related Reads on sauce.co.ke:
- How a Mombasa-based cartel smuggles heroin through the port
- Inside the rise of Italian mafia influence in Kenya’s coastal towns
- Police bust Sh300 million cocaine ring in Nairobi suburb
Why This Matters
Kenya’s coastal towns, particularly Diani and Mombasa, have increasingly come under scrutiny as transit and manufacturing hubs for international narcotics networks, many with foreign collaborators.
The arrest of Gianardi Giuliano, a foreign national, highlights concerns over international syndicates embedding themselves in local communities, exploiting weak surveillance and land regulations in remote areas.
What Happens Next?
With both suspects set to be arraigned, law enforcement agencies are expected to intensify crackdowns on similar operations as part of a broader effort to combat drug trafficking across Kenya.
For breaking updates on this and other major crime stories in Kenya, stay tuned to sauce.co.ke.
