Jarod Tyler Roberts, a U.S. citizen caught attempting to smuggle cocaine to Saudi Arabia, has entered into a plea bargain with the state. This follows his admission in court that he was in possession of the internationally prohibited substance.

Roberts’ Confession and Arrest

Roberts revealed that he had purchased the drug for recreational use during his stay in Kenya and decided to take the remaining three cocaine pellets with him before his departure.

• He arrived in Kenya on February 13, 2025, for a short visit and was set to leave on February 16.
• Before his departure at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Roberts attempted to ingest the pellets to smuggle them undetected.
• The pellets were individually wrapped in double-knotted latex gloves, under the belief that they would withstand stomach acid.

How He Got Caught

While at JKIA’s central screening area, Roberts tried to disguise his actions by pretending to chew something, which alerted security officers. In a panic, he swallowed the pellets entirely, which later led to severe abdominal pain and symptoms of excessive drugging.

Medical Emergency and Drug Discovery

His friend rushed him to the hospital, where doctors, noticing something suspicious, conducted an endoscopy. To their shock, they discovered cocaine pellets inside him.

Detectives, Doctors, and Drug Pellets

The hospital immediately alerted anti-narcotics detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The officers arrived just in time to witness the medical team retrieve three cocaine pellets from Roberts’ rectum.

Forensic Confirmation

Subsequent tests confirmed that the recovered substance was pure cocaine, weighing a total of 57.98 grams.

Legal Proceedings and Plea Bargain

With the evidence stacked against him, Roberts opted for a plea bargain through his lawyer, Danstan Omari. The case now moves forward with sentencing considerations under Kenyan drug laws.

Stay tuned for further updates on this unfolding case.

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