Authorities have destroyed over 99 kilograms of heroin valued at approximately Ksh297 million in public incineration at the Bamburi Cement factory in Mombasa.
In an update on Saturday, February 22, 2025, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the operation marks one of the country’s most significant anti-narcotics crackdowns in the coastal region in recent years.
The burning of the highly addictive substance, along with 997 grams of cocaine, was conducted under the supervision of judicial officers, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), government chemists, and senior police officials.
The destruction follows the conclusion of several high-profile drug trafficking cases, underscoring the country’s intensified efforts to combat the narcotics trade.
“The highly addictive analgesic drug approximated at over Sh 297 million in street value and 997g of Cocaine were destroyed yesterday at the Bamburi Cement incinerator in Mombasa, following the completion of the cases,” DCI stated.
Heavy sentences
According to DCI, one of the most notable drug cases involved Fatuma Ahmed Ali, convicted on November 19, 2024, for trafficking 91.7 kilograms of heroin and nearly a kilogram of cocaine.
Police said the contraband was discovered in a 2018 raid at her residence in Kilifi County.
Fatuma received a 40-year prison sentence and was fined Ksh825.6 million.
Her co-accused, Swaleh Yusuf Ahmed, passed away during the trial proceedings.
In a separate case, Maimuna Jumanne Amir was apprehended at Moi International Airport in March 2021 with 5.8 kilograms of heroin valued at Ksh17.6 million.
She was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Other convictions include Juma Mwanyota and Abdulmajid Msallam Timamu, who received 13 and 15-year sentences, respectively, after being found guilty in unrelated trafficking incidents.
Authorities say more prosecutions are underway as anti-narcotics detectives ramp up surveillance and operations nationwide.
“More trafficking cases are at advanced stages of prosecution, with anti-drug detectives heightening crackdowns across the country,” DCI said.
The coastal region, a known trafficking route due to its strategic location along the Indian Ocean, remains a focal point for law enforcement agencies.
Machakos, Nairobi counties drug busts
These developments at the coast come hours after police arrested three suspected drug traffickers and seized a significant quantity of cannabis in a coordinated operation along Kangundo Road in Mavoko Sub County, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced on Friday, February 21, 2025.
The operation, spearheaded by detectives from the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) and the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU), was launched following intelligence reports on heightened drug trafficking activities in the Kenanie area, roughly 25 kilometres southeast of Nairobi.
The DCI said the crackdown began with a pursuit of a grey Nissan Note driven by a man they identified.
As officers closed in, the male driver abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot into nearby vegetation but was swiftly apprehended.
According to DCI, the man later led authorities to a concealed stash in his two-room storage facility, where officers recovered 15 bags of cannabis, also known locally as bhang.
As the investigation unfolded at the scene, detectives noticed a red Mazda approaching the compound.
Sensing danger, the driver, a female who police positively identified, attempted to flee by making a sudden U-turn but was intercepted by officers.
The woman and her passenger, also another female, were arrested after four additional sacks of cannabis were discovered in their vehicle.
The three persons of interest were transported to Muthaiga Police Station for processing and are expected to be arraigned in court early next week. The confiscated cannabis was secured at DCI headquarters for further analysis.
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