Written by Lisa Murimi
Indian customs officials have arrested a 43-year-old Kenyan woman for smuggling 1.7 kilograms of cocaine valued between Ksh 225 million and Ksh 300 million (Rs 15 to 20 crores).
Based on intelligence reports, authorities arrested the woman, identified as Emily, upon her arrival at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai on Tuesday.
She had flown from Nairobi to Delhi via Doha while transporting the illegal narcotics.
According to The Indian Express, customs officers inspected Emily’s baggage and found four packets containing a powdery substance. A field test confirmed the presence of narcotics.
Officials stated that the total weight of the contraband was 1,789 grams. The drugs were concealed inside her trolley bag, making it difficult for regular screening to detect them.
After her arrest, Emily was taken into custody under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for trafficking large quantities of illegal substances.
During interrogation, she confessed that a woman in Nairobi had given her the drugs and promised to pay her Ksh100,000 (INR 66,110) upon successful delivery to a contact in Delhi.
Authorities are now investigating her travel history to determine if she has smuggled drugs before.
Emily’s arrest comes just weeks after Kenyan national Margaret Nduta was sentenced to execution in Vietnam for drug trafficking.
The Kenyan government is working to negotiate her repatriation, but no progress has been reported yet.
