DCI Clarifies Status of Mexican Drug Cartel Operation in Kenya
The DCI clarified that a Mexican drug cartel did not successfully establish a methamphetamine lab in Kenya, despite reports to the contrary. Following a raid in September 2024, the agency arrested multiple suspects involved in the operation, highlighting a significant international drug trafficking network.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has responded to reports concerning a Mexican cartel allegedly operating a methamphetamine laboratory in Namanga, Kenya. This clarification follows a report from the U.S. Department of State indicating that such a lab was active until September 2024.
DCI stated that individuals, including Kenyans and Nigerians, attempted to establish the meth lab, but were apprehended by the DCI Anti-Narcotics Unit before any operations commenced. The agency emphasized that the cartel had not succeeded in executing their illegal activities in Kenya.
On September 12, 2024, DCI conducted a raid on a ten-acre site near the Nairobi-Namanga Highway, following a tip-off. They discovered structures resembling a drug manufacturing facility, which contained lab apparatus, chemicals, and a chemical store. Notably, two exercise books featuring lab designs and chemical formulas were recovered, along with a mobile phone belonging to a suspect from Mexico.
The investigation led to the arrest of several suspects, starting with a Kenyan woman on September 16, 2024, linked to the lab’s construction. A Nigerian accomplice was subsequently arrested, and a third suspect, the mastermind behind the operation, was apprehended at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on October 3, 2024.
Additionally, a former investigator from the Mexican Police was arrested as he returned home. He is believed to have been recruited for his expertise in meth production. This operation has unveiled an international drug network involving countries such as Nigeria, India, Mexico, South Africa, and Gabon.
The DCI has decisively addressed concerns regarding the presence of a Mexican drug cartel in Kenya. By intercepting a plan to establish a meth lab and arresting key suspects, the agency reaffirmed its commitment to combatting narcotics crimes. This incident unveils broader international drug trafficking networks that may pose challenges to national security and law enforcement.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
