A drug courier’s elaborate attempt to smuggle narcotics into Kenya came to a dramatic end at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi, after police swooped in moments after she landed.
The 34-year-old woman, Muli Ayan Ndunge, arrived on a flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU), acting on precise intelligence, were waiting for her.
Ndunge was quietly intercepted by the ANU team before she could clear the airport. She was then escorted to the unit’s office for close observation. It did not take long for the truth of her dangerous cargo to be revealed.
Within minutes, she began to excrete the concealed drugs, emitting 14 pellets of cocaine.
“The prompt action of the team prevented a significant quantity of Class A narcotics from reaching the streets.”
Knowing that more of the consignment was hidden internally, detectives maintained a close watch over the courier. A second batch of 14 pellets soon followed, bringing the total number of secreted packages to 28, which weighed 912.74 grams and the street value was approximated to be KSh3,650,960
A subsequent X-ray scan was conducted to ensure her body was completely clean of any remaining packages, sealing the case with clinical certainty.
The arrest of Ndunge is the latest in a series of major drug seizures at JKIA, highlighting the airport’s position on the international narcotics route. Security agencies have ramped up their intelligence-led operations, frequently disrupting organised international syndicates.
Recent similar cases demonstrate the scale of the challenge:
In April 2024, Two other women were arrested at the airport after being found in possession of cocaine, underlining the persistent use of female couriers in these operations.
In September 2025, Investigations revealed how a British citizen, later caught in London, managed to pass through supposed checks at JKIA with Class A and B drugs, suggesting collusion with airport staff.
and lastly In October 2025, four suspects were arrested and detained by security officials, linked to an international cocaine trafficking network that was attempting to use JKIA as a transit point.
Muli Ayan Ndunge is now being held in custody by the ANU. Detectives are finalising the process of documenting the evidence and preparing the necessary paperwork to ensure she is presented before a court to face charges related to drug trafficking and smuggling.
