The other court officials arrested include Abdalla Awadh, Lawrence Thoya and Onesmus Miindi.
“The magistrate and the three other court officials are all in lawful custody awaiting to be charged on Monday,” DCI director George Kinoti stated.
Kinoti explained the court officials were arrested “over reckless handling of exhibits that led to the loss of approximately 10 kilograms Heroin valued at Sh30 million and cash of various currency valued at over Sh600,000.”
Following the reckless handling of Exhibits that led to the Loss of approx. 10 Kgs of Heroin valued at Ksh. 30M & Cash of various currencies valued at over Ksh. 600K, @DCI_Kenya Detectives have today arrested FIVE People – including the Principal Magistrate at Mombasa Law Courts. pic.twitter.com/1muZ3mY2oE
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) September 7, 2019
The Magistrate is being held at Kilindini Port Police Station while the three others are detained at Makupa police station, Nyali police station and ICD Police station in Nairobi respectively as reported by Capital FM.
Kinoti stated that the suspects will be charged with obstruction with intent to defeat justice, aiding and abetting trafficking in narcotic drugs.
The arrests come amid a renewed government crackdown on the drug business at the Coast.
“We are beginning an unprecedented effort to deal with drug peddling. I do not doubt that it is going to be painful, but we are prepared to start this journey,” Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i pointed out when he met security and political leaders in Mombasa last month.
Dr Matiang’i said the government would move a step further, “even if it is looking among ourselves”.
Last month, Lamu Police Station Boss Muchagi Kioi was arrested for allegedly facilitating the release of a suspected drug trafficker.
The OCS was arrested alongside three other junior officers—all based at Faza Island