Kenyan authorities arrest Polish national with heroin at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - In a significant anti-narcotics operation, Kenyan authorities announced on Friday the arrest of a 37-year-old Polish national, Arkadiusz Stanislaw, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

Stanislaw was taken into custody after being discovered in possession of heroin with an estimated street value of Ksh 3.2 million, equivalent to $21,783, at JKIA, which ranks as one of the largest and busiest airports in Africa.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) issued a statement on Friday confirming the arrest and the drug seizure, revealing that anti-narcotics detectives stationed at JKIA successfully intercepted the illegal narcotics and apprehended the trafficker.

"The trafficker who was destined for Hungary's capital, Budapest, has since been booked in police cells awaiting further processing and arraignment," a statement from the DCI said.

The arrest took place at JKIA's Terminal 1C, mere moments before Stanislaw was about to board an Egyptian airline flight destined for Hungary.

Margaret Karanja, the head of the Anti-Narcotics Unit within the DCI, issued a stern warning to those engaged in drug trafficking and peddling.

She underscored that the law would be enforced without discrimination, regardless of an individual's position or involvement in the narcotics trade.

Kenyan law enforcement agencies have been vigilant in their efforts to combat drug trafficking.

"Stanislaw's arrest comes at a time when crackdowns on drug traffickers and unlicensed brewers have been heightened, a move by the government to foil the illicit trade in the country, "The DCI added in their statement.

Stanislaw is now in police custody and will face charges related to drug trafficking.

The Kenyan authorities said that in cooperation with international partners, they will further investigate this case to uncover any potential links to drug trafficking networks.