The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) enforcement team intercepted a consignment of suspected narcotic substances valued at approximately Sh25.45 million at the Eldoret International Airport. The consignment, shipped from Dubai and declared as cosmetics, was destined for Mombasa and comprised 141 items packed in different forms.
The consignment was flagged by KRA Customs officers after X-ray scanning revealed images that did not clearly correspond with the declared contents. The scan images, coupled with unclear labelling, prompted officers to conduct a physical inspection of the cargo. Officials said inspection established that the consignment contained a mixture of items concealed among what had been declared as consumer products.
The shipment was declared as one piece weighing about 27.2 kilogrammes, originating from Dubai and destined for Mombasa. Further examination identified gaps in the accompanying documentation, including limited verifiable information on the shipper and consignee, making it difficult to establish the parties behind the shipment.
Two batches subsequently tested positive for controlled substances at the Government Chemist Laboratory in Kisumu. Thirteen blue, soap-like blocks weighing 1,381.01 grammes tested positive for methamphetamine and were assigned an estimated street value of Sh11.05 million. A further 14 maroon gel containers weighing 4,802.86 grammes tested positive for amphetamine, with an estimated street value of Sh14.41 million.
The two batches therefore had a combined estimated street value of Sh25.45 million. Laboratory analysis of the remaining packages established that most did not contain narcotic or psychotropic substances. This included 24 containers of white powder, 24 containers of blue powder, 28 grey flaky fragments, 24 light-green powder-filled envelopes, 14 brown gel containers and other assorted packages.
The interception demonstrates the importance of Customs risk profiling, non-intrusive inspection technology and physical verification in identifying illicit substances concealed within consolidated cargo and consignments whose declared contents may not correspond with their actual contents. Following the interception, the consignment was handed over to the Anti-Narcotics Unit of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) at Eldoret International Airport for further investigation and enforcement action.
The investigation was subsequently extended beyond the seized cargo, resulting in the arrest of a suspect in Mombasa. KRA said it continues to strengthen its cooperation with other government agencies in combating the illicit movement of narcotic and psychotropic substances through Kenya's borders.
Key points
- The consignment was valued at approximately Sh25.45 million.
- The shipment was declared as cosmetics and originated from Dubai.
- Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of controlled substances in two batches of the consignment.
