Directorate of Criminal Investigation Director Mohamed Amin/DCIThe Directorate of Criminal Investigations has admitted that there were attempts by some foreign drug cartels to set up a clandestine drugs laboratory in the border town of Namanga last year but dismissed media reports that the plan sailed through.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by John Marete, DCI boss Mohamed Amin said a report by a local daily that the cartel, assisted by Kenyan operatives, managed to run the lab until September 2024 was inaccurate.
The publication referenced a report released this month by the United States Department of State Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
"The circumstances surrounding the discovery of the lab and the suspects implicated contain misrepresentations and lack sufficient details about the case," Amin said.
According to Amin, the true circumstances surrounding the discovery of the lab are as follows;
On September 12, 2024, a multi-agency team led by Anti-Narcotics Unit officers was tipped of a possible clandestine laboratory that was located in a remote area within a 10-acre parcel of land, some 8km from the Nairobi-Namanga highway.
He said detectives discovered two iron sheet structures, one housing laboratory apparatus, including chemicals, and the other hosting a chemical store, kitchen, and sleeping area.
"Based on the observations of the team, a drug lab was being set up," he said.
Amin said this was evidenced by lab drawings and chemical formulas in two exercise books that were recovered at the scene.
Also recovered was a mobile phone belonging to a foreigner (suspect).
The top sleuth said detectives launched investigations resulting in the arrest of a suspect on September 16, 2024, in Kiambu County.
He said the suspect is believed to have facilitated the setting up of the lab at the site, jointly with a foreigner.
"From the house, several documents linking the suspect to the purchase, importation and distribution of the land, chemicals and equipment found at the scene were seized," he said.
Amin said a thorough forensic analysis of the recovered items pointed to a strong link between the suspect and two foreigners.
Amin said the two foreigners were arrested on October 1, 2024, in Nairobi, interrogated and let go.
He said a stop order was, however, placed against one of the suspects (foreigner) at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, resulting in his arrest on October 3 as the foreigner tried to flee the country.
Amin said investigations revealed that the suspect was the mastermind and architect of the clandestine lab.
"He is believed to have visited Kenya for the first time in 2007 allegedly for business and owns multiple businesses. He is also linked to a drug cartel. As investigations heightened, a fourth suspect was also arrested at JKIA in an attempt to escape," Amin said.
He said it has since been established that the suspect is among two other foreigners brought on board for their expertise in 'cooking' synthetic opioids (Methamphetamine) and had just been oriented to the Namanga scene before the lab started operations.
"His fellows are still being pursued," Amin said but revealed that two other Kenyan suspects - who played critical roles in the purchase and distribution of chemicals to the lab, have also been arrested.
The DCI boss said all six suspects are in custody and have been charged at the JKIA court in a case where two companies that supplied the chemicals have been listed as defendants.
"Based on these facts (and others which are sub judice), we clarify that the drug cartel did not succeed in operationalising their illegal activities in the country and that no member or members of the criminal ring have been deported from the country for trial elsewhere," Amin said.
He said investigations have since established the existence of a powerful international drug trafficking network.
However, Amin said the DCI is dedicated to fighting the cartels and will continue to work tirelessly toward establishing a drug-free Kenya.
"The unwavering commitment of the National Police Service, alongside our close cooperation with the US Drug Enforcement Administration, plays a crucial role in thwarting the activities of drug traffickers both within our country and throughout the region," he said.
