4 in drug trafficking, money laundering case to remain in custody
Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa. A 43-year-old woman has been jailed for 25 years for trafficking cocaine and heroin valued at more than Sh1.4 million
Four people under investigation for drug trafficking and money laundering will remain in custody for a further seven days.
Mr Swaleh Ahmed, Susan Mutuku, Asma Abdalla, and Suleiman Salim will remain in detention at Shimo La Tewa Prison pending the production of a pre-bail report.
Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate Yussuf Shikanda on Thursday directed the probation officer to provide information that will help determine whether the four should be granted bond.
The court has already heard that Mr Ahmed has other similar pending drug trafficking cases following his alleged involvement in the ferrying of Sh275 million heroin and cocaine seized in Nairobi and Kilifi.
The state has filed documents in court alleging that Mr Ahmed and Ms Mutuku are actively involved in money laundering.
"We are following up on properties, some of which are registered in the names of the accused persons' accomplices, family, and friends," police said in an affidavit.
This assertion has been affirmed by state counsel Peris Ogega, who informed the court that further investigations are underway to locate more properties alleged to have been purchased through the ill-gotten money.
Police are also reaching out to M-Pesa agencies believed to be registered in the names of the suspects so as to establish the extent of the money laundering.
The state also alleges that there is a huge consignment of drugs that the accused are yet to receive and if they are granted bail, they will interfere with the process of intercepting the shipment.
Mr Ahmed, Ms Abdalla and Mr Salim are charged with trafficking in narcotics worth millions of shillings.
Mr Ahmed is also charged jointly with Ms Mutuku with money laundering.
The four suspects have denied involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering.
Last month, detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit seized 214.9 grams of heroin worth Sh644,700 from the suspects’ residence in Kikambala, Kilifi County.
The suspects have been in custody since November 10, when they were arrested following the seizure of the narcotics, and detectives are pursuing their accomplices.
The suspects have, however, pleaded with the court to grant them bond, arguing that they had previously obeyed bond terms and attended court whenever they were needed.
They dismissed the money laundering claims, saying that they lacked merit as there is no evidence to support the allegations.
Mr Ahmed faces other drug trafficking charges in Mombasa and Shanzu courts.
The state alleges that the suspect alongside others still at large, trafficked by conveying heroin valued at more than Sh270 million, concealed in a black suitcase.
Mr Ahmed is also accused of trafficking 997 grams of cocaine worth Sh3.9 million.
