KRA intercepts narcotics worth Sh2.9million at JKIA

August 24, 2018 Newsroom

The taxman has foiled a fresh plot by drug barons who move drugs from one country to another through Kenya.

This follows an interception of 980 grams of heroin worth Sh2.9 million at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) last evening.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) said narcotics were intercepted by the K9 unit at a DHL yard at the airport after enforcement officers who were on a routine check found a suspicious package.

The substance was subjected to scanning and verification at the KRA Customs laboratory and positively identified as heroin.

The prohibited substance was smuggled into the country from Mbarara Uganda and concealed in African crafts (scrolls). It is was destined for Delta State in Nigeria. The package has since been handed over to the Anti-Narcotic Police Unit for further investigations.

This interception comes days after the KRA intercepted several packages of narcotics concealed as vitamin tablets at JKIA. The narcotics had also been sent as a parcel using an international courier service provider.

This points to a possible change of tact by drug traffickers who now seem to smuggle prohibited substances in concealments via courier service providers as opposed to making deliveries in person.

“KRA’s efforts in curbing smuggling of narcotics and other prohibited substances were recently boosted following the recruitment of additional K9 handlers and acquisition of more K9s at the various ports of entry,” KRA said in a statement.

KRA is also in partnership with other key state agencies such as the National Police Service in heightening surveillance at the country’s territorial borders.

The Authority remains committed and extra vigilant at all points of entry to ensure that illegal and prohibited substances do not find their way into the country.