The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has officially handed over a heroin consignment seized at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in 2020 to Tanzanian authorities. The transfer, coordinated by the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU), was made following a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) request from Tanzania to aid in prosecuting two suspects, Mohammed Yusuph Mzimba and Enrique Dos Santos.
How were the narcotics seized at JKIA?
The consignment, intercepted on November 9, 2020, was disguised as hair braids. Authorities later confirmed through the Government Analyst that the 56 packages contained 1,712.34 grams of heroin. The passengers carrying the narcotics were on transit through JKIA when security officers flagged the suspicious packages.
The drugs are prohibited under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act No. 4 of 1994, and their seizure marked a major win for Kenya’s anti-narcotics enforcement at the time.
What did officials say during the handover?
Speaking during the ceremony, ANU Director Samwel Laboso emphasized Kenya’s commitment to regional cooperation. He stated that the DCI remains dedicated to cross-border partnerships in the fight against drug trafficking, which he described as a menace destroying lives across East Africa.
Interpol’s National Central Bureau (NCB) Director, Ibrahim Jillo, echoed the need for stronger and more structured collaboration between nations to disrupt criminal networks that exploit jurisdictional loopholes.
Representing the Tanzanian government, Issac Isanzu praised the DCI’s vigilance and professionalism. He was joined by Tanzania’s Anti-Narcotics Director, Israel Makongo, Kenya’s DCI Director of Legal Services, Augustine Kitonyi, and Elisante Masaki from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The handover marks another milestone in Kenya and Tanzania’s joint efforts to combat narcotics trafficking, sending a strong signal to international drug networks operating across borders.
By Yockshard Enyendi