By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
A U.S. citizen, who swallowed multiple pellets of cocaine in an attempt to smuggle them from Alabama to Saudi Arabia, is currently recovering at a Nairobi hospital under police surveillance due to severe abdominal issues.
The suspect, identified as Jarod Tyler Roberts, was transported to the hospital by a friend on Sunday, February 16, after displaying signs of significant drug ingestion.
On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, a physician at the hospital notified anti-narcotics investigators from the DCI Headquarters, who subsequently arrived at the facility to observe an endoscopy procedure being performed on the suspect.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations three pellets were recovered from the suspect’s rectum, which tested positive for Cocaine weighing 57.98g. The exhibit was seized and documented.
“The doctor also confirmed presence of an extra pellet stuck in the suspect’s small intestines, and medical help is being offered to have it removed,” the DCI said.
“Detectives have since established that Tyler Roberts was temporarily residing at an Airbnb in Nairobi’s Westlands area, and was due to board Ethiopian Airlines at 1800 hrs on the day he was taken ill. He was to travel to Saudi Arabia through Addis Ababa,” added the DCI.
The DCI additionally stated that his travel and personal documents have been seized and will remain so until his recovery, after which he will face the relevant drug trafficking charges.