A 29-year-old Taiwanese national has been arrested at the Isebania One Stop Border Post (OSBP) in Migori County after Kenyan authorities allegedly intercepted 26 capsules of heroin weighing approximately 18.26 grams concealed in his luggage as he entered the country from neighbouring Tanzania.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI),the suspect, identified as Wang Hsiang-hui, was arrested on Sunday following a routine security inspection conducted by K9 officers and detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit.
Police said the breakthrough came after a trained detection dog identified a suspicious bag during the inspection.
"His journey hit a dead end during a routine security check when a vigilant detection dog caught a whiff of trouble, freezing beside a bag and signalling a positive hit on a suspicious package concealed inside," the DCI said in a statement.
Following the alert, ANU detectives carried out what the agency described as a meticulous search of the luggage.
The search uncovered 26 carefully wrapped capsules containing a brown powdery substance weighing about 18.26 grams. Preliminary field tests later confirmed the substance was heroin.
The suspect was arrested at the scene and taken into police custody, where he is being processed ahead of his arraignment in court. The seized narcotics have been secured as exhibits.
The DCI said the arrest demonstrates the role of coordinated border security operations in disrupting the movement of illegal drugs into the country.
"The Directorate of Criminal Investigations remains steadfast in its fight against drug trafficking and other transnational crimes, working closely with partner agencies to safeguard Kenya's borders and protect communities from the devastating effects of narcotic drugs," the agency said.
The Isebania One Stop Border Post, which links Kenya and Tanzania, is one of the country's key entry points and is regularly monitored by multi-agency security teams to detect and prevent cross-border crimes, including narcotics trafficking.
Investigations into the case are ongoing as authorities prepare to present the suspect before court.