The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) now says that a Mexican cartel tried to set up a clandestine meth lab in the border town of Namanga, Kenya, but the plan was foiled.

In a statement on Wednesday, March 19, the DCI refuted reports that the Mexican Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) ran a drugs lab in Kenya.

“The circumstances surrounding the discovery of the lab and the suspects implicated contain misrepresentations and lack sufficient details about the case,” the DCI says.

Chronology of events

The investigative agency has given a chronology of events to clarify on the reports regarding the said meth lab.

On September 12, 2024, the DCI says a multi-agency team led by Anti-Narcotics Unit officers was tipped of a possible clandestine laboratory that was located in a remote area within a 10-acre parcel of land, 8km from the Nairobi-Namanga Highway.

“Upon visiting the site, two iron sheet structures were discovered, with one housing laboratory apparatus, including chemicals, and the other hosting a chemical store, kitchen, and sleeping area,” the DCI elaborates that, “Based on the observations of the team, a drug lab was being set up. Indeed, two exercise books bearing lab drawings and chemical formulas were recovered at the scene, alongside a mobile phone belonging to a Mexican suspect.”

It is at this point that the DCI says launched investigations in earnest. The agency says the first suspect, Betty Mukami Micheni, was arrested on September 16, 2024, at her house in Ruiru, Kiambu County. Authorities at the time believed to have championed the setting up of the lab at the site, jointly with a second suspect, Agwu Ojukwu, a Nigerian national.

From her house, detectives recovered several documents linking her to the purchase, importation and distribution of the land, chemicals and equipment found at the scene were seized. A thorough forensic analysis of the recoveries made evidenced a strong link between Betty Muchemi and two Nigerian nationals, Agwu Ojukwu and MBA, Agwu Ogba (brothers).

On October 1, the DCI reveals that MBA, Ogwu Ogba was arrested in Lavington area, Nairobi. Upon interrogation, the DCI placed a stop order against Ojukwu at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), arresting him on October 3 while trying to flee the country.

“Investigations revealed that Ojukwu was the mastermind and architect of the clandestine lab. He is believed to have visited Kenya for the first time in 2007 allegedly for business, and owns multiple businesses in Nigeria, Gabon, South Africa and China. He is also linked to a drug cartel in South America,” the DCI says.

As investigations heightened, a fourth suspect, Alvarado Israel Vera, a former member of the investigative unit in the Mexican Police was also arrested at JKIA in an attempt to escape back to Mexico.

It has since been established that Alvarado is among two other Mexicans brought on board by Ojukwu for their expertise in ‘cooking’ synthetic opicids (Methamphetamine) and had just been oriented to the Namanga scene ahead of the operationalization.

“His fellow Mexicans are still being pursued. Two other suspects, Caroline Wambui Muchira and Francis Maina Gachau, who played critical roles in the purchase and distribution of the chemicals, have also been arrested, bringing the total number of accused persons charged at the JKIA court to six. Also cited as defendants in the court are two Kenyan companies, ENORMED PHARMA LTD and BETLINK SUPPLIES LTD, which were used in the purchase, importation, and supply of the chemicals for laboratory use.”

The DCI says that further investigations have revealed a powerful international nexus traversing the borders to Nigeria, India, Mexico, South Africa and Gabon.

“Based on these facts (and others which are sub judice), we clarify that the drug cartel did not succeed in operationalizing their illegal activities in the country and that no member or members of the criminal ring have been deported from the country for trial elsewhere.”

The agency adds: “The unwavering commitment of the National Police Service, alongside our close cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, plays a crucial role in thwarting the activities of drug traffickers both within our country and throughout the region. We are dedicated to this fight and will continue to work tirelessly toward our goal of establishing a drug-free nation.”