A Kenyan woman wanted by detectives since last year has been arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) while allegedly attempting to leave the country for Bangladesh with suspected cocaine valued at about KSh13.53 million.

The suspect was identified by Kenya’s KBC as Jane Waithera Wateri. Detectives from the Kenya Airports Criminal Investigations (KACI) intercepted her after receiving a stop order from the National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau (NANIB) over alleged narcotics trafficking.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Wateri was preparing to board a flight to Bangladesh when officers stopped her. A subsequent search reportedly led to the discovery of three small bags containing suspected narcotics.

A preliminary field test reportedly returned positive for cocaine. The substance weighed approximately 3,383 grams, with an estimated street value of KSh13,530,720.

Authorities said the suspect had been on the law-enforcement watch list since last year in connection with alleged narcotics trafficking. She is currently being held at JKIA Police Station while detectives from NANIB and the Financial Investigations Unit (FIU) continue investigating the case and pursuing further leads.

The DCI said investigations are ongoing to determine the wider network, if any, behind the suspected drug trafficking operation. The substance remains described as suspected cocaine, pending further forensic and legal processes.