Kenyan Woman Arrested in Mumbai for Smuggling Ksh. 268 Million Worth of Cocaine
Mumbai Customs officials have arrested a 43-year-old Kenyan woman, Emily Kanini Rodha, for allegedly smuggling 1.7 kilograms of cocaine at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The drugs, valued at Ksh. 268.35 million, were trafficked from Nairobi through Doha before reaching Mumbai.
Suspicious Behavior Leads to Arrest
Acting on intelligence reports, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) intercepted Rodha upon her arrival on Tuesday. Authorities became suspicious due to her nervous behavior, leading them to inspect her baggage.
“During the examination of her trolley bag, officers noticed an unusual heaviness. Upon further inspection, a synthetic material was found affixed to the bottom. After removing it, we discovered four plastic packets containing a white powdery substance. Field tests confirmed it was cocaine,” a Customs official said.
Authorities seized the 1,789-gram consignment and took Rodha into custody for questioning. She later admitted to knowing that the bag contained illegal substances and disclosed that she had been recruited by a woman named Millicent in Nairobi.
“Rodha stated that Millicent handed her the contraband in Nairobi and had also arranged her flights and hotel stay in Mumbai. She was promised Ksh. 100,000 for successfully delivering the drugs to a contact in Delhi,” the official added.
Investigators Suspect a Larger Drug Syndicate
Authorities believe Rodha was working for a larger drug syndicate operating between Africa and India. Efforts are now underway to identify her accomplices.
“We suspect this is part of a wider network. Investigations are ongoing to track down others involved,” an investigator said.
Rodha has been charged under India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and remains in custody as investigations continue.
Rising Cases of Kenyans in Drug Smuggling
Rodha’s arrest has once again highlighted growing concerns over Kenyan nationals being caught up in international drug trafficking. Her case follows the recent high-profile conviction of another Kenyan woman, Margaret Nduta Macharia, in Vietnam.
Nduta, 37, was sentenced to death on March 6 by the People’s Court in Ho Chi Minh City after being found guilty of smuggling over two kilograms of cocaine. She was arrested in July 2023 while in transit to Laos. Her family only learned of her arrest and sentencing through the internet on March 8.
Her mother, Purity Wangari, has pleaded with the Kenyan government to intervene and have her daughter repatriated to serve her sentence in Kenya.
“It was the first time my daughter was travelling overseas searching for greener pastures. I plead with the authorities to help bring her home, even if it means serving her sentence locally,” Wangari said.
She also claimed that Nduta was unaware that she was carrying drugs, alleging that the narcotics were hidden in luggage given to her by a Kenyan man for delivery to a woman abroad.
Government Warnings Against Illegal Activities Abroad
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has warned Kenyans abroad against getting involved in illegal activities, expressing concern over the increasing number of Kenyans being lured into drug trafficking and other crimes.
“We must ensure that Kenyans venturing into the diaspora do not fall into the trap of engaging in illegal activities. This is extremely important and must be taken seriously,” Mudavadi stated.
As cases of drug smuggling involving Kenyan nationals rise, authorities are urging travelers to remain vigilant and avoid being used as couriers for drug syndicates. Meanwhile, investigations into Rodha’s case continue as officials attempt to dismantle the criminal network behind her operations.
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Kenyan Woman Arrested in Mumbai for Smuggling Ksh. 268 Million Worth of Cocaine