The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has announced arrest of two individuals operating a secret narcotics lab in Diani, Kwale County.
37-year-old Gianardi Giuliano, an Italian national and his accomplice Moses Nanoka Egadwa were arrested when a team of officers from the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) and the Kenya Police conducted a raid on the one-acre compound hidden in Ukunda’s Mwabungo Village.
Police say the arrest was carried out after days of discreet surveillance and intelligence gathering, with the raid being well coordinated by the team drawn from the two sections of the police force.
On searching the place, the team recovered lab equipment and chemicals used by the suspects in manufacturing the drugs.
They also found packaging materials clearly inscribed with the names of known narcotics.
According to the DCI, additional evidence recovered on further search of the premises alludes to the drug processing to be a long-term activity, with sections of the compound discovered to have been used for cultivating cannabis.
The suspects have since been placed in police custody where they are awaiting to be formally charged in court.
“The National Police Service has reiterated its commitment to dismantling drug networks and keeping Kenyan communities safe from the harmful effects of narcotics and the illegal drug trade,” stated the DCI.
