The 26 carefully wrapped capsules containing a brown powder that were seized by detectives./HANDOUT
A foreign national has been arrested after a police sniffer dog detected heroin concealed in his luggage at the Isebania One Stop Border Post (OSBP) in Migori County.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the suspect was attempting to enter Kenya from neighbouring Tanzania when he was intercepted during a routine security screening.
According to the DCI, a K9 detection dog alerted officers to a suspicious bag after picking up the scent of narcotics.
The alert prompted officers from the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) to conduct a thorough search of the luggage.
During the search, detectives recovered 26 carefully wrapped capsules containing a brown powder weighing approximately 18.26 grammes.
Preliminary field tests identified the substance as heroin.
The suspect was arrested at the scene and is being held in police custody as officers complete processing ahead of his arraignment in court.
The recovered narcotics have been secured as exhibits.
The DCI said the arrest underscores the role of specialised K9 units and anti-narcotics officers in detecting illicit drugs at the country's entry points.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to combating drug trafficking and other transnational crimes in collaboration with partner agencies.
It said the ongoing efforts are aimed at securing Kenya's borders and protecting communities from the harmful effects of narcotic drugs.
The arrest comes days after vehicles, donated through the US Embassy in Nairobi, are expected to be deployed to the DCI’s Anti-Narcotics Unit to support surveillance, intelligence-led operations, rapid response and investigations across the country.
Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin received the vehicles at the DCI headquarters on Thursday and said the donation would significantly enhance the operational capacity and mobility of the Anti-Narcotics Unit.
Amin said the vehicles would enable officers to respond more effectively to drug trafficking cases and support operations in different parts of the country.
“The newly donated vehicles will greatly enhance the operational mobility of the Anti-Narcotics Unit by supporting surveillance, intelligence-led operations, rapid response, nationwide investigations and coordination with both local and international partners,” Amin said.
He thanked the US government and the DEA for their continued partnership with the DCI in the fight against narcotics trafficking and other forms of transnational organised crime.
Amin noted that the changing nature of drug trafficking had made international cooperation increasingly important. He said criminal networks were taking advantage of technology, international transport systems, financial channels and porous borders to expand their operations across countries.
“Modern drug trafficking networks exploit technology, international transport systems, financial channels and porous borders, making international collaboration essential in dismantling criminal enterprises,” he said.
The DCI boss said the agency would continue developing a modern, technology-driven and intelligence-led Anti-Narcotics Unit.
This, he said, would involve sustained investment in operational capacity, specialised training, intelligence sharing, forensic support and joint investigations with international partners.
