Going to prison because of drugs is still a real danger, yet it’s a danger some drug kingpins avoid. However, things are changing in Kenya on the war on drugs.
Detectives from the anti-narcotics based in Nairobi have made a major success when they flew to Mombasa and captured a notorious heroin trafficker.
When the detectives raided the house, more than Sh98,500 cash, believed to be proceeds of their illegal business was found at the scene. Police arrested the two women in Mombasa after finding them also in possession of heroin worth Sh3 million.
The heroin dealers and organised crime bosses were arrested separately in Nyali and Kisauni constituencies following an intelligence report, according to police.
Nyali Sub-county Police Commander Simon Thirikwa said the two were arrested after a raid by anti-narcotics officers from Nairobi.
“We nabbed them at their house in Nyali. We are holding them at Nyali Police Station. They will be taken to court on Thursday,” said Mr Thirikwa.
The arrests came two weeks after two suspected drug traffickers were apprehended with three kilograms of heroin worth millions of shillings.
The hauls proved once again how Kenya and East Africa waters have become a key export route for heroin from Asia to Europe.
In December 2004 a seizure marked a turning point in Africa drugs trade. It was the biggest ever: 1.1 tonnes coming in a vessel docked at Mombasa port. Cocaine has been seized in Malindi, Mombasa (837.5 Kg) and Nairobi (304 Kg). The street value was estimated in 80 million USD. Narcotics allegedly came from Colombia through Venezuela.
This large cocaine seizure haul involved all the big players both in politics and drug trafficking in Kenya.