Police nab cocaine trafficking suspect at Malaba border post

Police nab cocaine trafficking suspect at Malaba border post

The consignment was then handed to the detectives from the National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau (NANIB) in Malaba for further processing.

Detectives are holding a suspect who was allegedly found with a cocaine consignment valued at approximately Sh2.19 million, which he was reportedly trafficking from Kampala to Nairobi.

According to an update issued by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Wednesday morning, the suspect, the bus turnboy, Meshack Medalack, was arrested during a routine passenger and luggage screening at the Malaba One-Stop Border Post (OSBP).

The suspect was aboard a Simba Coach bus, Reg. No. KDG 093H, en route from Kampala to Nairobi when, upon inspection, officers discovered an unattended parcel inside the bus, raising suspicion and prompting further scrutiny.

“But as the parcel was singled out for examination, the situation took a dramatic twist. The driver and the conductor vanished from the scene, abandoning the bus and its passengers, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions,” the DCI said.

The bus in which the cocaine consignment was found. (Photo: DCI)

The consignment was then handed over to detectives from the National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau (NANIB) in Malaba for further processing.

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“Preliminary tests confirmed the substance to be cocaine, packaged in eight pellets weighing 547.99 grams, with an estimated street value of Sh2,191,960,” the DCI added.

Preliminary investigations led to the arrest of the bus turnboy, who was linked to the incident, as detectives pursue the driver, identified only as Karama, and the conductor, John Musimbi.

Detectives are seeking to establish the circumstances surrounding the consignment and determine the respective roles of those involved.

The bus was detained at Malaba OSBP as management arranged alternative transport for the affected passengers.