By Dorothy Musyoka
A Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) court has sentenced two foreign nationals, Ilo Ebuka Titus and Kanu Arinze, to pay a fine of Ksh 30 million each, or serve 12 months in prison, for trafficking narcotic drugs.
The ruling comes after the two were apprehended in a meticulously planned operation led by the Transnational Organized Crimes Unit, supported by the Anti-Narcotics Unit.
According to the detectives the suspects were arrested on March 13, 2024, at the Nyamakima area following an intelligence-driven operation.
“The arrest of the two convicts on 13th March, 2024 emanated from an intelligence led operation where they were nabbed at Nyamakima area by a team of detectives drawn from the Transnational Organized Crimes Unit augmented by their Anti- Narcotics Unit counterparts,” stated the DCI.
Upon their capture, they led detectives to their residences in Umoja and Sunton, where authorities discovered 39.04 grams of heroin and 25.71 grams of cannabis.
“Upon arrest, the duo led the detectives to their places of abode at Umoja and Sunton where they were found with 39.04 gms of heroin and 25.71gms of cannabis,” added the detectives.
After being processed, the suspects were arraigned and pleaded guilty to the charges.The court’s decision reflects the severity of the offenses, emphasizing the government’s commitment to combating drug trafficking.
In addition to the fines and potential imprisonment, the court ordered that the two convicts be repatriated to their country of origin upon completion of their sentences or payment of the fines.
The court also ordered for the destruction of all narcotics seized during the operation.