In a major breakthrough in the fight against narcotics, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) alongside a multi-agency task force seized heroin valued at Sh14.5 million and arrested a notorious drug dealer in Malindi.
This arrest is part of an ongoing effort by the DCI to combat the rising drug trade along Kenya’s coastal regions, particularly in towns like Malindi and Kilifi. These areas have become hotspots for narcotics smuggling, with links to international syndicates due to their proximity to shipping routes on the Indian Ocean.
According to the DCI, the arrest was made at Sabaki Bridge in Malindi, where Salim Peter Katana, a well-known figure in the local drug trade, was apprehended. Acting on a tip-off, detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit raided Katana’s hideout in Ngerenya, Kilifi County, recovering 38 packages of heroin weighing over 3.6 kilograms.
The drugs, with an estimated street value of Sh14,540,000, were discovered hidden in one of Katana’s bedrooms. The operation also yielded Sh13,000 in cash, suspected to be profits from his illegal activities.
Katana is currently in custody at Malindi Police Station, awaiting formal charges. This bust is the latest in a series of successful operations aimed at dismantling the drug networks that have ravaged coastal communities. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to addressing the drug crisis, which has fueled addiction, crime, and instability in the region.
With intensified efforts, including stiffer penalties and stronger law enforcement, Kenya remains determined to curtail drug trafficking and its devastating impact.
