JKIA Airport – A 26-year-old woman is expected to face drug trafficking charges today after being arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) with cocaine hidden in her body.
Wendy Mbeke Muli was intercepted on June 13 by Anti-Narcotics detectives moments before boarding an international flight. Officers flagged her for further screening after noticing her nervous behavior. Routine security checks triggered suspicion, leading to a physical search and immediate medical monitoring.
“Mbeke was intercepted by hawk-eyed detectives at around 10:00 a.m. just before departure,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed in a statement.
While under hospital observation later that day, Muli excreted two drug pellets. On the following day, she passed six more, bringing the total to eight. Forensic tests confirmed the substance inside the capsules was cocaine. The recovered narcotics weighed 626.65 grams.
Investigators believe the drugs were packed into the pellets and swallowed to avoid detection at airport security. According to experts familiar with narcotics trafficking methods, body-packing remains one of the high-risk strategies used by smugglers due to health hazards and increased surveillance at airports.
Muli remains in custody pending her arraignment in a Nairobi court. Authorities are pursuing leads to determine whether she was acting alone or is linked to a larger drug trafficking network.
Drug trafficking through Kenyan airports has remained a persistent challenge. The DCI continues to warn the public against participating in smuggling, citing tightened screening and intensified enforcement across all entry points.
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