Murkomen, security chiefs witness destruction of Sh8.2bn drugs

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Thursday witnessed the destruction of narcotics worth Sh8.2 billion at Bamburi Cement Factory in Mombasa.

The haul, comprising more than 1,000kg of methamphetamine, was seized last October by a multi-agency security team operating in the Indian Ocean.

Security officers intercepted a stateless dhow, codenamed “IGOR” (MV Mashallah), about 630 kilometres east of the Mombasa coast.

Murkomen said the destruction demonstrated the Government’s commitment to intensifying the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.

He said enforcement agencies were increasingly targeting large-scale drug manufacturers, traffickers and networks facilitating the illicit trade

“All assets used in or acquired through drug trafficking will be treated as proceeds of crime, promptly frozen, and forfeited to the State,” Murkomen said.

The CS also warned public officials against colluding with drug traffickers, saying those found facilitating the trade would face disciplinary and criminal action.

“Any government official found colluding with drug traffickers will be dismissed immediately and prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he said.

Murkomen said that following a directive by President William Ruto to scale up the fight against drugs and substance abuse, security agencies had arrested 3,331 people in connection with drug-related crimes.

The agencies also seized 675,505 litres of illicit alcohol, of which 385,875 litres had been destroyed, he said.

The CS commended the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) for working closely with the National Police Service and other security agencies in strengthening enforcement operations.

“Let me thank our NGAO officers for holding hands with the police to make sure this success is achieved,” Murkomen said.

He further warned individuals targeting security officers involved in dismantling drug trafficking networks, saying the Government would continue protecting officers carrying out operations against organised crime and drug trafficking.

Murkomen thanked the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the US Government and other international partners for supporting Kenya’s anti-drug efforts.

He said the Government had strengthened the Anti-Narcotics Unit through the deployment of additional personnel and provision of equipment, while also enhancing the legal and institutional framework for combating drug trafficking