Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a 57-year-old man who allegedly attempted to smuggle over 41 kilograms of cannabis sativa through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The suspect, identified as Wong Hiu Fung, had arrived in the country from Bangkok, Thailand. Upon clearing immigration procedures at JKIA, he retrieved two large suitcases and proceeded to the customs inspection area.

However, according to DCI, just as customs officers began examining his luggage, Wong pretended to answer a phone call and slipped away, abandoning his baggage in the screening zone.

The Anti-Narcotics Unit later opened the suspicious suitcases and found 41 sachets of cannabis sativa with a total weight of 41.7 kilograms.

Following the incident, detectives launched a manhunt and successfully traced the suspect to a hotel in Nairobi’s South C neighborhood.

He was apprehended and taken back to the JKIA police station.

Wong is currently in custody and is expected to face drug trafficking charges in court.

The arrest follows a routine baggage scan at JKIA on Saturday, July 27, 2025, by Kenya Revenue Authority Customs officers who flagged two suspicious suitcases from a Bangkok flight.

"What followed was a swift and coordinated inspection unveiling 41 sachets of suspected narcotics carefully concealed within the luggage," said KRA.

"Thanks to the vigilance of our officers and advanced scanner technology, another threat to our borders was stopped in its tracks."