Suspected drug trafficker nabbed in South C hotel after abandoning 41kg of bhang at JKIA

A 57-year-old suspected drug trafficker has been arrested after authorities at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) found 41.7 kilogrammes of bhang concealed in his luggage.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Wong Hiu Fung had arrived at JKIA from Bangkok, Thailand. After clearing immigration, he proceeded to the baggage screening area.

However, just as officers prepared to inspect his luggage, the suspect allegedly pretended to take a phone call and slipped out of the terminal, managing to leave the airport unnoticed.

“Upon being cleared by immigration officers, Wong proceeded to the baggage hall, collected his two sizable suitcases, and made his way to the customs screening zone,” the DCI said in a statement on X on Sunday.

“But just as officers began inspecting his luggage, he pulled a ‘fake phone call’ trick, and vanished into thin air, leaving his suspiciously bulky bags behind.”

41 sachets of bhang

Upon inspection, authorities discovered 41 sachets of bhang weighing 41.7 kilogrammes concealed in the abandoned suitcases.

“Inside the abandoned luggage, Anti-Narcotics Unit detectives discovered 41 sachets of cannabis sativa weighing a total of 41.7 kilograms, expertly concealed but not clever enough to outwit the trained eyes at JKIA,” the DCI added.

Using forensic clues and surveillance footage, detectives were able to track Wong within hours. He was found and arrested at a hotel in South C.

“His escape, however, was short-lived as detectives, leveraging forensic leads, trailed him down to a hotel in South C, where his freedom came to an abrupt end,” said the DCI.

He was then escorted to the JKIA Police Station, where he remains in custody pending arraignment on drug trafficking charges.

“Wong was promptly arrested and escorted back to JKIA Police Station, where he is currently in custody undergoing processing ahead of his court appearance,” said the DCI.