Hellen Saru Mwajombo, 36, Arrested in Diani Drug Bust as Police Recover Cannabis from Her Residence

DIANI, KWALE COUNTY — A joint security operation in Diani has resulted in the arrest of a suspected narcotics trafficker and the recovery of substantial quantities of cannabis, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations announced Friday.

The multi-agency security team conducted the intelligence-led operation that culminated in the apprehension of 36-year-old Hellen Saru Mwajombo and the seizure of multiple packages containing suspected controlled substances.

Initial Recovery and Arrest

Detectives initially recovered two green gunny bags containing rolls of cannabis during the operation in the coastal town.

Following her arrest, the suspect led law enforcement officers to her residence in Diani, where investigators discovered a significantly larger cache of narcotics.

Residence Search Yields Additional Evidence

A comprehensive search of Mwajombo’s home resulted in the recovery of multiple packages of suspected cannabis, including quantities stored in a black bag and another green gunny bag.

Investigators also impounded a white Nissan Note vehicle, registration number KDS 092K, which authorities suspect was being utilized in drug trafficking activities.

DCI Commitment to Drug Enforcement

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations reaffirmed its dedication to disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking networks operating within Kenya through sustained operations and collaborative enforcement efforts.

“The DCI remains firmly committed to dismantling drug trafficking networks through relentless operations and multi-agency collaboration. With zero tolerance for traffickers, regardless of status, we will ensure a safer, drug-free Kenya for all,” the agency stated in its announcement.

Multi-Agency Collaboration

The operation exemplifies coordinated law enforcement efforts involving multiple security agencies working together to combat narcotics distribution in Kenya’s coastal region.

Diani, a popular tourist destination along Kenya’s southern coast, has previously been identified as a transit point for narcotics trafficking due to its proximity to international maritime routes and tourism infrastructure.

Ongoing Investigation

The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue, with detectives expected to pursue additional leads regarding potential trafficking networks and distribution channels connected to the recovered narcotics.

Authorities will conduct forensic analysis of the seized substances to determine exact quantities and verify their chemical composition before formal charges are filed.

The impounded vehicle will undergo examination as investigators seek to establish its role in the suspected trafficking operation and identify any additional individuals involved in the network.

National Drug Enforcement Efforts

Kenya has intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking in recent years, recognizing narcotics trade as a significant threat to public health, security, and economic development.

Coastal counties have become focal points for anti-narcotics operations due to their strategic location along maritime trafficking routes connecting international drug production centers with regional distribution networks.

Law enforcement agencies continue emphasizing intelligence-led operations and inter-agency coordination as essential strategies for identifying and neutralizing trafficking operations before substances reach consumer markets.

The DCI’s statement underscores government commitment to pursuing drug traffickers without consideration of their social or economic status, signaling equal application of law enforcement measures across all demographic groups.

Successful prosecutions of drug trafficking cases require comprehensive evidence gathering, including documentation of substance quantities, establishing chains of custody, and demonstrating suspects’ knowledge and intent regarding illegal narcotics possession and distribution.