A woman from Kilifi County has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after being convicted of trafficking a massive 91.7 kilograms of heroin, worth over Sh275 million. The court also imposed a fine of Sh825,642,000, underscoring the seriousness of the narcotics offense.
The judgment was delivered by Senior Resident Magistrate David Odhiambo on behalf of Principal Magistrate Martin Rabera. The case revolves around the accused’s involvement in trafficking large quantities of heroin, which were found hidden in her residence in Kikambala Housing Estate, Kilifi, in 2018. The woman had been charged alongside her late husband, described by the prosecution as a notorious drug baron. While the woman faced the main charge, her husband had been accused of trafficking both heroin and psychotropic substances. However, the court dropped the charges against him following his mysterious death. His body was found nine days after he had gone missing, under circumstances that remain unclear.
The prosecution, led by Senior Counsel Barbara Sombo, presented compelling evidence, including testimonies from law enforcement officers who raided the accused’s home. On September 20, 2018, police discovered the drugs concealed in two brown suitcases and a gunny bag within the residential house. The heroin, weighing 91,738 grams, was seized and, according to Sombo, would have ruined the lives of approximately 91,000 people had it been sold in one-gram portions.
In her defense, the accused had sought a non-custodial sentence, but the prosecution opposed this request, emphasizing the weight and scale of the trafficking operation. Sombo argued that the scale of the drugs seized and their potential harm to society warranted a severe sentence. In her submission, she urged the court to consider the gravity of the crime, especially given the potential widespread damage the narcotics could have caused. She also pointed out that the accused was fully aware of the illegal activities taking place in her home.
Magistrate Rabera, after reviewing the evidence, found it clear and irrefutable. The court noted that the drugs were recovered in the presence of members of the public, with no suggestion that the evidence had been tampered with or planted. This solidified the prosecution’s case, leaving no reasonable doubt about the woman’s involvement in the drug trafficking operation.
Rabera’s ruling highlighted the thoroughness of the investigation and the integrity of the evidence presented. “There is no evidential gap to suggest that the exhibits were tampered with or planted. Having reviewed and analysed all the evidence, I find the charges against the accused proven beyond a reasonable doubt,” the magistrate stated, affirming the conviction.
In light of these developments, the accused was sentenced to 40 years in prison and slapped with the hefty fine. This case serves as a stark reminder of the Kenyan judiciary’s stance on drug trafficking and the severe consequences that come with engaging in the illegal drug trade. The substantial fine imposed on the woman is a reflection of the scale of the crime, which was considered one of the largest heroin seizures in the country.
The sentencing sends a strong message to those involved in the narcotics trade: the judicial system will not tolerate such crimes, and law enforcement agencies remain vigilant in their efforts to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking operations. Despite the tragedy surrounding the mysterious death of her husband, the woman’s conviction stands, ensuring that justice is served for the harm caused by her illicit actions.
The case also raises questions about the involvement of criminal networks in the region and highlights the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in Kenya, particularly in coastal regions like Kilifi, which have historically been hotbeds for such illegal activities. As the legal process comes to a close for this case, it is expected to serve as a cautionary tale for other potential traffickers, while also encouraging continued vigilance and action against drug-related crimes.
