MOMBASA: Detectives have discovered weapons and narcotics hidden aboard a cargo vessel in Mombasa where it has been held since a anti-drugs commando raid three days ago. Details of the contraband, the nature and quantity, were not disclosed and the search was continuing yesterday. It began Friday morning. By Sunday afternoon, 80 percent of the vessel had been searched. Drugs and arms were loaded into threeo combat wagons.
A multi-agency team, including US Drug Enforcement Administration agents, found dismantled weapons hidden inside vehicle tyres. The vessel, the Singapore-registered MV Hoegh Transporter, was carrying vehicles that included 257 UN vehicles bound for Kenya, Uganda, the DRC and South Sudan. The FBI and US intelligence agents notified Kenyan authorities the vessel from Mumbai was suspected to be carrying drugs and arms.
The GSU Recce squad stormed the port Thursday night and sealed it off. The search was fruitless until yesterday. An agent, who could not be quoted due to the sensitivity of the investigation,said the drugs appeared to be cocaine in crystal form. The arms were probably loaded in Dubai and cleverly hidden, he said. “They were experts and knew what they were doing. It wasn’t easy to find, but we thank God we managed,” he said.
Police spokesman Charles Owino told the Star on the phone a full statement will be released when the operation is completed. One intelligence agent told the Star that another search will be conducted inside the vessel.
It might be blown up off the coast, as were two other drugs vessels in the past year, most recently in August. “It’s an executive order [to blow up drugs vessels] from the President. It might be blown up be we’re not sure,” he said.
The raid and search was a multi-agency effort, involving the KDF, GSU, Kenyan Intelligence, Interpol and US drugs agents. The US is assisting in analysis of the drugs with the aim of prosecuting those connected with an international drugs trafficking syndicate.
The Filipino crew was questioned. “FBI intelligence reports indicate the drugs were stuffed into the ship in Mumbai and were destined for Mombasa,”an officer working with DEA agents told the Star.
Agents have classified information about individuals using Mombasa as a transit point for smuggling drugs into Europe, he said. “Arrival of the agents indicates they have the latest intelligence on drugs syndicates and soon likely to make major arrests and seizure,” the officer said
Regional police commander Francis Wanjohi said the upper and lower decks, storage tanks, bridge sections and other areas were inspected. “We have scoured 80 per cent but agencies are taking no chances,” he said. In August 2014 President Uhuru defied a court order to preserve a vessel as evidence and ordered the destruction of a cargo ship laden with 377 kg heroin worth Sh1.3 billion.
