Kenyan Woman Pleads Not Guilty to Trafficking Cannabis Worth 4 Million Shillings

Regina Akoth Kungu, a 30-year-old Kenyan woman, pleaded not guilty to charges of trafficking bhang (cannabis) worth 4 million Kenyan shillings when she appeared at the SRM court in Kwale on April 22, 2024. Kungu was apprehended in Mombasa on April 20 and was found in possession of over 135kg of the prohibited substance.

During the arrest, police seized several gunny bags containing the drugs from Kungu's house in Diani. They also recovered 12,100 Kenyan shillings in cash, believed to be proceeds from her alleged drug peddling activities. Kungu was arraigned in court two days after her arrest.

The court released Kungu on a cash bail of 50,000 Kenyan shillings. The case is scheduled to be mentioned again on April 30, 2024 as the investigation progresses.

Why this matters: Kungu's arrest comes amid an intensified crackdown on drug trafficking in Kenya. Authorities have reported other recent incidents of cannabis seizures in Busia and Meru counties, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat the illegal drug trade in the country.

This high-profile case involving a substantial quantity of bhang worth millions of shillings underscores the severity of the drug problem facing Kenya. "The arrest of the suspect and the recovery of the narcotics is a major advancement in the fight against drug trafficking," a police spokesperson stated, emphasizing the significance of the operation.

Key Takeaways

• Kenyan woman pleaded not guilty to trafficking 135kg of bhang worth KSh4 million.
• Police seized drugs and cash from her house in Diani, Mombasa on April 20, 2024.
• Kungu was released on KSh50,000 cash bail, case to be mentioned on April 30, 2024.
• Arrest amid crackdown on drug trafficking, other recent cannabis seizures in Kenya.
• Police called the operation a major advancement in the fight against drug trafficking.