A Mombasa court has granted police 21 days to detain two suspects accused of belonging to a syndicate that drugs unsuspecting bus passengers before stealing their valuables.

Senior Resident Magistrate David Odhiambo allowed the application by detectives from Makupa Police Station, who asked for more time to complete investigations into the alleged drugging and robbery ring.

The suspects, Pius Paskale Prugence, a Tanzanian national, and Abdulrahman Omar are linked to the theft of property worth more than Sh2 million from a passenger travelling from Nairobi to Mombasa.

Investigators told the court they needed the extra time to establish the full extent of the syndicate, identify other accomplices, recover more stolen property and determine whether the suspects are connected to similar cases in Mombasa and Nairobi.

“We need more time to establish how wide this syndicate is and to trace other suspects who may be involved,” the investigating officer told the court.

Police also opposed the release of the suspects on cash bail or bond, saying they could abscond and interfere with investigations. They described Paskale as a flight risk, noting that he is a Tanzanian citizen living in Mombasa who could leave the country if freed.

The court heard that the case began on September 26, 2026 when Nicholas Mbuvi Ndolo was found at Makupa Police Station weak and semi-conscious. Officers rushed him to Tudor District Hospital, where he received treatment after becoming unresponsive.

Ndolo later told detectives that he had travelled aboard a Green Line Royal bus and sat next to a man who introduced himself as Dennis. The two struck up a conversation, and Ndolo shared some pilau with him before being offered a piece of biscuit. It tasted unusual, he said, and he soon lost consciousness, only to wake up in hospital.

His backpack was missing. It contained a Kenyan passport, a UK visa, an HP laptop, a Xiaomi tablet, three mobile phones, power banks, bank cards, electronic accessories and £2,975. The stolen items were valued at Sh2, 008,725.

Detectives traced one of the phones to Kisauni on September 29 using Apple’s Find My phone feature. Police said Omar tried to throw the phone through a window when he saw officers. He then allegedly led them to Magongo, where Paskale was arrested, and some of Ndolo’s belongings were recovered from premises linked to him.

Police also recovered several mobile phones, wallets containing identification documents, jewellery, smart watches, phone accessories, clothing, suitcases and substances suspected to have been used to stupefy victims.

The substances will be sent for laboratory analysis, while the phones will be examined by the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau. Detectives also plan to hold identification parades and record statements from other people who may have lost belongings in similar circumstances.

Granting the order, Magistrate Odhiambo said the 21 days would allow investigators to conclude their work before further legal action is taken against the suspects.

“The suspects shall be held for 21 days to enable the police to complete investigations,” the Magistrate ruled.

by Ramadhan Nassib