A 26-year-old Kenyan woman, Wendy Mbeke Muli, has been arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi for attempting to smuggle cocaine by ingesting drug-filled pellets in a bid to evade detection.
Mbeke was intercepted by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) anti-narcotics officers at around 7:30 a.m. during routine passenger screening at the airport’s departure terminal. Her nervous demeanor and inconsistent responses during questioning raised suspicion, prompting a more thorough examination.
She was detained shortly before boarding an outbound international flight, whose destination authorities have not yet disclosed.
Following her arrest, Mbeke was taken to a nearby hospital under police escort for a medical examination. X-ray scans revealed foreign objects in her digestive system, consistent with drug pellets. She excreted eight pellets in total — two initially, followed by six more.
Laboratory tests conducted by the Government Chemist confirmed the pellets contained 626.65 grams of cocaine, with an estimated street value of KES 18.8 million (approximately USD 145,000).
Mbeke is currently being held at the JKIA Police Station and is expected to be arraigned at the Jomo Kenyatta Law Courts on Monday. She faces charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, which carry penalties ranging from seven years to life imprisonment, depending on the quantity and intent.
Her arrest is part of ongoing efforts by Kenyan authorities to crack down on drug trafficking through JKIA, a key regional transit hub. In recent years, the airport has been under heightened surveillance due to its use in trafficking narcotics bound for Europe, Asia, and North America.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and KRA have ramped up joint operations using advanced screening technology and canine units to detect smugglers.
Authorities have not yet released details about Mbeke’s background or possible links to a wider trafficking network, as investigations continue. The DCI has called on the public to report any suspicious activity related to drug trafficking to help curb the illegal trade.