A Kenyan woman has been arrested in India for allegedly smuggling cocaine valued at approximately Ksh 300 million. The woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, was apprehended at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai after arriving from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Indian authorities, acting on a tip-off, intercepted the suspect and found 2.9 kilograms of cocaine hidden in her luggage. The illegal substance was concealed in a way that made it difficult to detect, but thorough customs checks led to the discovery.
During interrogation, the suspect admitted that another woman handed over the consignment to her in Nairobi and promised to pay her Ksh 100,000 (equivalent to INR 66,110) for successfully delivering the drugs to her associate in Delhi.
The woman is currently in custody as Indian law enforcement continues to investigate her role in the international drug trafficking network. Customs officials are also reviewing her travel history to determine whether she has smuggled narcotics or any other restricted items into India in the past.
This arrest comes on the heels of a similar case involving Kenyan national Margaret Nduta, who made headlines after being arrested in Vietnam for drug trafficking. Nduta was apprehended at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, one of the busiest transport hubs in Vietnam. Nduta faces execution if convicted, highlighting the severe penalties for those caught smuggling narcotics in the region.
Both arrests have raised concerns about Kenyan nationals being increasingly involved in the smuggling of drugs across international borders. The Kenyan government has yet to comment officially on the cases.
Indian authorities have reiterated their commitment to cracking down on drug trafficking networks, warning that those found guilty will face harsh legal consequences, including lengthy prison sentences and potential execution in countries with the death penalty for drug-related crimes.
