KRA customs intercepts narcotics at JKIA from Bangkok flight

A foreign national was arrested on Saturday morning, July 26, 2025,at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after customs officials discovered a stash of suspected narcotics concealed in his luggage.

According to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the passenger had just arrived in Nairobi aboard a flight from Bangkok, Thailand, when two of his suitcases raised suspicion during a routine baggage scan.

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“This morning, a routine baggage scan at JKIA turned into a major bust when KRA Customs officers flagged two suspicious suitcases from a Bangkok flight,” a statement from KRA said.

“What followed was a swift and coordinated inspection unveiling 41 sachets of suspected narcotics carefully concealed within the luggage.”

KRA hailed the officers’ quick response and the efficiency of the scanning technology deployed at the airport.

“Thanks to the vigilance of our officers and advanced scanner technology, another threat to our borders was stopped in its tracks,” the Authority said. “We remain committed to working closely with other government agencies in the fight against drug trafficking and the protection of Kenya’s borders.”

Airport drug smuggling surge

The arrest is the latest in a string of drug-related incidents at Kenya’s main international gateway.

Just weeks earlier, on June 13, a 26-year-old woman was stopped at JKIA while preparing to board a flight. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) noted that her nervous behavior during screening raised red flags. Upon further examination, eight pellets of cocaine were discovered concealed inside her body.

She was placed under medical observation before the drugs were retrieved and submitted for forensic testing.

“These back-to-back arrests point to the airport’s growing vulnerability as a target for traffickers,” a senior DCI official told this publication. “But they also reflect how our systems and personnel are stepping up to the challenge.”

The latest seizure underscores the critical role of airport customs in preventing illicit substances from entering the country. KRA has promised to remain vigilant and invest further in technology and training to stop traffickers in their tracks.