This archive report was first published on 13 August 2019.
On August 13, 2019, Kenyan security agents raided the palatial home of Ali Punjani, a suspected Mombasa drug kingpin, in the wee hours of the morning.
Ms. Karki Sushmi Ja, the 24-year-old wife of the suspect, was apprehended alongside two men of Nepalese and Indian origin during the raid.
According to reports, Ms. Karki Sushmi Ja is believed to be of Nepal origin.
Johnston Ipara, Mombasa County Police Commander, confirmed the incident, stating that the three were detained pending further investigations.
During the raid, police discovered 42 sachets of heroin, 147 rolls of bhang, 747 tablets of Bugizi, and Sh608,000 in fake currency.
The suspect druglord, Ali Punjani, was allegedly so influential that he had been assigned 19 police bodyguards.
Ali Punjani was first linked to the illegal drug business by a US Embassy dossier in 2010, which was tabled in Parliament by then Internal Security Minister George Saitoti.
