Customs officials at Eldoret International Airport intercepted a Ksh 25.45 million drug consignment on Thursday, marking the second major seizure at the facility within seven days. The shipment, declared as cosmetics from Dubai to Mombasa, contained 141 items including soap-like blocks, gel-filled containers, and powders. Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) customs officers noted discrepancies in the documentation, including unverifiable shipper and consignee details, prompting further inspection. Laboratory tests confirmed 13 methamphetamine-laced soap blocks and 14 amphetamine-filled gel containers, while other packages tested negative for controlled substances.
The consignment, weighing 27.2 kilograms, was flagged during X-ray scanning and physical inspection. KRA stated that two batches tested positive at the Government Chemist Laboratory in Kisumu, with the methamphetamine blocks valued at Ksh 11.05 million and the amphetamine gel containers at Ksh 14.41 million. Despite the positive results, 24 containers of white and blue powders, 28 grey flaky fragments, and other items showed no narcotic content. The shipment was transferred to the Anti-Narcotics Unit of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for further action, highlighting ongoing efforts to curb illicit trade through the airport.
This seizure follows last weekend’s interception of 53,607 under-declared smartphones valued at Ksh 21.5 million, which customs officials said were intended to evade taxes. Eldoret Airport, a key logistics hub, has become a frequent target for smuggling operations, according to KRA. The recent incidents underscore challenges in verifying cargo declarations and enforcing customs regulations. Officials emphasized the need for stricter scrutiny of international shipments to prevent revenue loss and drug proliferation.
The case has reignited concerns about vulnerabilities in Kenya’s border control systems, particularly at airports handling high-volume cargo. KRA officials reiterated their commitment to combating tax evasion and narcotics trafficking, while DCI investigators continue probing the origins of the latest consignment. The findings will inform broader strategies to enhance surveillance and collaboration with international partners in disrupting transnational crime networks.