Foreigner arrested at JKIA with heroin worth KSh3.2 million

Anti-narcotics detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a foreigner with heroin worth KSh3.2 million.

The suspect is a Polish national identified as Arkadiusz Stanislaw.

He was apprehended at Terminal 1C of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) moments before he boarded a flight to Hungary on an Egyptian aircraft.

“The trafficker was destined for Hungary’s capital Budapest,” DCI added.

Foreigner detained by police

Stanislaw’s arrest comes at a time when crackdowns on drug traffickers and unlicensed brewers have been heightened, a move by the government to foil the illicit trade in the country.

Margaret Karanja, The Director of Anti-Narcotics, asserted that all traffickers and peddlers would be punished severely.

Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua earlier this month commended DCI for their relentless fight against drugs and drug-related crimes.

Gachagua reaffirmed his commitment against drug and substance abuse which he said had ruined the lives of youth in the country.

“I am very impressed by the work that you are doing and I will be paying a visit to the Directorate to explore ways in which the government can further support the Anti-Narcotics Unit, to cascade the war to all parts of the country, especially in rural areas, where drugs and substance abuse is also rampant,” the DP added.

NACADA Report

A recent report by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) indicated that alcohol is the most abused drug in Kenya.

Western region topped the list with an alcohol consumption rate of 23.8%. It is followed by Coast at 13.9% and Central at 12.8% respectively.

Furthermore, the prevalence of bhang use in Kenya doubled between 2017 and 2022.

Nairobi region had the highest prevalence of current use of cannabis at 6.3% followed by Nyanza at 2.4% and Coast at 1.9%.

“The growing demand for cannabis especially among the youth could be attributed to the low perception of harm due to myths, misconceptions, and misinformation,” stated the report.