KRA intercepts drugs packed as vitamin tablets at JKIA
A terminal at the JKIA. KRA officials intercepted narcotics at the airport on August 1, 2018. The drugs were concealed in a package of vitamin tablets. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The drugs were seized Wednesday morning by KRA customs enforcement officers.
- The package was scanned and samples were taken to the customs laboratory for tests.
- The shipment was later handed over to the Anti-Narcotics Unit for further investigations.
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officials have intercepted narcotics at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) which were concealed in a package of vitamin tablets.
The drugs were seized Wednesday morning by KRA customs enforcement officers assisted by the K9 (sniffer dogs) team during a routine check at the Cargo Centre (KQ) shed and consisted of 26 vape cartridges filled with cannabis oil and five sachets of hashish, each weighing one gram.
In a statement issued by the commissioner for Customs and Border Control Julius Musyoki, the narcotics had been sent through a courier service provider and declared as candy.
TESTS
The package was scanned and samples were taken to the customs laboratory for tests which indicated presence of the narcotics.
The shipment was later handed over to the Anti-Narcotics Unit for further investigations.
“KRA continues to put in more relentless measures and remains vigilant in stepping up the fight against smuggling at the points of entry,” the statement added.
Customs and Border Control operations recently received a major boost following recruitment of eight additional sniffer dog handlers and the acquisition of five more canines.
The five sniffer dogs will cover the baggage halls and cargo sheds at the airports, port of Mombasa and the Embakasi Inland Container Deport more effectively.
