Some of the materials recovered by police from a Kwale homestead, believed to have been used in the manufacture of illegal drugs.
When police in Diani received a tip-off that a suspected drug cartel was operating in Kwale County, their investigations led them to an unlikely location.
The one-acre farm appeared ordinary, just like other homes in the resort town, but what lay beyond its high perimeter wall told a different story.
According to preliminary reports, officers from the Anti-Narcotics Unit and Kenya Police discovered not only signs of drug cultivation but also a suspected chemical laboratory believed to be part of a larger network manufacturing narcotics for export to international markets.
The Mwabungo, on the outskirts of Diani, is known for its serene environment and quiet neighborhood. It is mostly inhabited by locals but has increasingly attracted the interest of real estate investors due to the affordability of land.
Though it maintains the image of a sleepy village, local security officials say it has become a haven for criminal activities due to its remoteness. It has previously been listed as a hideout for some juvenile gangs linked to criminal activities in the county.
The two suspects arrested were 37-year-old Italian national Gianardi Giulio and Moses Nanoka Egadwa, a Kenyan. They were allegedly found with lab equipment and chemicals used in the manufacture of drugs, as well as packaging materials marked with names of known narcotics.
The Kwale homestead where police say illegal drugs are made.
An electric machine believed to be used for drying bhang was also found, along with assorted seeds, children’s clothing, and other electronics. Inside the house, police said they found stickers with names of drugs and writings suspected to be formulas for the preparation of narcotics. They also found several contacts believed to be of suppliers or distributors of the drugs.
Senior police officers in the Coast region said the Italian has been a frequent visitor to Kenya, with his passport showing recent travel in and out of the country. On the day he was arrested, he had a consignment of cannabis sativa, some of it already processed and some raw.
Terrorism link
Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno said that further investigations were ongoing to trace the entire network, which he added could also be linked to money laundering and funding of terrorism.
“It cannot be ruled out that this is a drug network. If the foreigners are doing this in our midst, this issue of drugs is connected with money laundering and, by extension, terror organisations,” said Mr Nuno. He confirmed that the two suspects are currently in custody, awaiting formal charges in court.
Nation has further learned that due to the urgency of the situation, criminal investigation detectives are now involving other experts, including the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and the Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU), to counter the network exploiting the strategic location of the Coast region and remote rural villages. Other agencies, including those dealing with agriculture, digital forensics, and child protection, are also expected to be involved.
Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno uring a public baraza in Diani, Kwale County.
Meanwhile, police have urged locals to report any suspicious activities in their neighborhoods, assuring them that all information will be treated confidentially.
“We appeal to the public to help us, and any information given to us will be treated in confidence. We are on top of things and want to do our best to ensure that the entire coastal region is safe and secure for investment and business,” said Mr Nuno.
He added that recent operations have led to tighter security and fewer reported criminal activities across the six coastal counties.
