The DCI has clarified that a Mexican drug cartel did not successfully operate a meth lab in Kenya, thwarted by their Anti-Narcotics Unit. Several arrests were made, including suspects linked to an international drug trafficking network, as investigations continue across multiple countries.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has responded to reports regarding a Mexican drug cartel operating a methamphetamine laboratory in Namanga, Kenya. This clarification follows a revelation from the U.S. Department of State, which stated that the lab was active until September 2024. DCI emphasized that several individuals, including Kenyans and Nigerians, attempted to establish the lab but were interrupted by the Anti-Narcotics Unit prior to beginning operations.
In their statement, the DCI clarified, “Based on these facts (and others which are sub judice), we clarify that the drug cartel did not succeed in operationalizing their illegal activities in the country and that no member or members of the criminal ring have been deported from the country for trial elsewhere.” The examination of the situation revealed that a raid occurred on September 12, 2024, on a 10-acre parcel of land near the Nairobi-Namanga Highway, which was reportedly a potential drug manufacturing site.
During the raid, investigators discovered two iron sheet structures and equipment indicative of drug production. One building contained laboratory apparatus and chemicals, while the other operated as a chemical store and living quarters. Several documents and materials were recovered, including notebooks with lab designs and a mobile phone belonging to a Mexican suspect, leading to an extensive manhunt for those involved.
The first suspect, a Kenyan woman, was apprehended on September 16, 2024, in Ruiru. She was believed to have overseen the construction of the lab with a Nigerian accomplice. Arrests continued, with the Nigerian suspect captured in Lavington on October 1, 2024, and his brother nabbed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) two days later, linked to orchestrating the setup. Additionally, a former Mexican police investigator was captured at JKIA, suspected of assisting in meth cooking.
This operation has led to the arrest of six individuals, including two pharmacies implicated in the chemical procuring process. DCI asserts that this scheme is part of a vast international network integrating Nigeria, India, Mexico, South Africa, and Gabon, indicating the significant scope of the cartel’s activities.
In summary, the DCI has firmly stated that the Mexican drug cartel did not successfully initiate operations within Kenya. Key individuals involved in the establishment of a methamphetamine lab have been apprehended, and investigations reveal a broader international network at play. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement demonstrate vigilance against drug trafficking activities, ensuring that such operations face considerable disruption.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
