A Nairobi woman suspected of being part of a drug trafficking network was arrested and arraigned in court following a major weekend operation by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The suspect was found in possession of cocaine and cannabis worth thousands of shillings, as the agency steps up its crackdown on illegal drug networks across Kenya.
Highlights
- Safia Burhan Marjan was arrested in Raila Estate during a DCI operation.
- Detectives recovered 462 grams of suspected cannabis and 240 grams of cocaine from her home.
- The suspect was arraigned at the JKIA Law Courts on Monday.
- Court granted detectives a four-day custodial order to complete investigations.
- The DCI continues its heightened campaign against drug trafficking in Nairobi and major transit points.
Main Story
The Raid and Arrest
Anti-Narcotics detectives acting on intelligence reports raided a house in Raila Estate, Nairobi, on Saturday morning. The operation, conducted quietly and swiftly, led to the arrest of Safia Burhan Marjan, who was allegedly running an illicit drug business within the estate.
During the search, officers found two packets containing 462 grams of suspected cannabis and 240 grams of suspected cocaine. The substances, now in police custody, will be subjected to laboratory analysis to confirm their authenticity.
The DCI said the arrest is part of a sustained effort to dismantle small and medium drug rings that operate within urban neighborhoods and use unsuspecting households to conceal illegal substances.
Court Proceedings and Investigations
Following her arrest, Safia Burhan was presented before the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Law Courts. Detectives requested a custodial order to allow time for further investigations into her operations and potential accomplices.
The court granted a four-day custodial order, enabling officers to trace the supply chain and identify other individuals believed to be linked to the recovered drugs. Investigators suspect that the seized narcotics were part of a wider distribution network supplying various Nairobi estates.
Sources within the Anti-Narcotics Unit revealed that they have been monitoring the suspect’s activities for several weeks before moving in. The operation also followed reports from local residents concerned about increased drug-related activities in the area.
DCI’s Intensified War on Narcotics
The latest arrest comes as the DCI doubles down on its nationwide crackdown against drug trafficking, targeting both street-level peddlers and large-scale suppliers. The agency has identified Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu as major hotspots for narcotics movement and has intensified surveillance across airports and border points.
Recent operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) have led to several arrests of suspects attempting to smuggle drugs to and from the country. In one case, a man was intercepted with 41.7 kilograms of cannabis, while in another, a woman was stopped with packets of cocaine destined for Dubai.
The DCI has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with regional and international partners, including Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to stem the flow of illicit substances into Kenya.
Authorities are urging members of the public to report any suspicious activity or individuals involved in the sale and distribution of drugs. According to the DCI, community involvement remains a critical part of dismantling drug networks that often thrive in secrecy within residential estates.
Police have also warned that anyone found engaging in drug trafficking will face severe legal consequences, including heavy fines and lengthy prison sentences.
Read Also
- Woman Arrested at JKIA Trying to Smuggle Cocaine to Dubai
- Man Arrested at JKIA Trying to Smuggle 41.7kg of Cannabis
- DCI Nabs Four Suspects Linked to International Drug Syndicate
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As the DCI tightens its grip on Kenya’s drug trade, each arrest brings the country a step closer to reclaiming its streets from the grip of narcotics and sends a clear message to traffickers that their time is running out.
