DCI Clarifies Thwarting of Mexican Drug Cartel’s Meth Lab in Kenya
The DCI has clarified that a purported Mexican drug cartel was thwarted before operationalizing a methamphetamine lab in Kenya. Following a raid, several arrests were made, including suspects from Kenya and Nigeria, revealing an extensive international drug trafficking network connected across multiple countries.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has responded to allegations regarding a Mexican cartel operating a methamphetamine lab in Namanga, Kenya. This clarification follows the US Department of State’s report indicating that such a lab was active until September 2024. The DCI stated that efforts to establish the lab were thwarted by their Anti-Narcotics Unit before any illegal operations commenced.
The DCI affirmed that no members of the cartel succeeded in conducting drug-related activities within the country, stressing that no individuals were deported for prosecution in other jurisdictions. On September 12, 2024, following a tip-off, the DCI raided a 10-acre site near the Nairobi-Namanga Highway, discovering structures indicative of drug manufacturing, including laboratory equipment and chemicals.
During the raid, authorities recovered two exercise books with chemical formulas, a mobile phone belonging to a Mexican suspect, and further evidence pointing towards potential drug fabrication. Subsequent arrests involved a Kenyan woman on September 16, 2024, suspected of facilitating the site’s setup, along with documents linking her to the operations.
A Nigerian suspect was apprehended on October 1, 2024, at Lavington, while his brother was captured at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) two days later; he is alleged to be the mastermind behind the lab’s establishment. This individual has reported business ties across multiple countries, including noteworthy connections to a South American drug cartel.
Additional suspects included a former investigator from the Mexican Police, arrested at JKIA while returning home, and two Kenyan collaborators. The DCI indicated that this situation is part of a broader international drug trafficking network spanning Nigeria, India, Mexico, South Africa, and Gabon, revealing the depth and complexity of the operation.
In conclusion, the DCI’s statement clarifies that the alleged Mexican drug cartel’s efforts to establish a methamphetamine lab in Kenya were thwarted prior to operationalization. The investigations led to multiple arrests, highlighting the international nature of drug trafficking networks. This situation emphasizes the ongoing vigilance of law enforcement in combating drug-related activities within the region.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
