Africa-Press – Kenya. Criminal Investigation officers from various East African countries attend a workshop on building capacity to boost the fight against narcotics at the National Criminal Investigations Academy, Nairobi, May 26, 2025. /DCI
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has organised a specialised workshop aimed at building capacity to boost the fight against narcotics.
The five-day course was opened by the Director of Investigations, Abdalah Komesha, at the National Criminal Investigations Academy (NCIA) on Monay, May 26, 2025.
It brought together criminal investigation officers from various East African countries with a primary focus to develop strategies for addressing emerging challenges, including cases involving new psychoactive substances, synthetic drugs, clandestine laboratories, and chemical precursors.
The workshop will also cover the growing threat of online drug markets and explore ways to improve detection methods.
“The training will also address the trafficking routes in Africa, as well as challenges faced in identifying and fighting the new psychoactive substances. This will assist our law enforcement officers in understanding the main criminal organisations involved in the phenomenon and to be proactive in dealing with the issue,” Komesha stated in his remarks to the course participants.
He expressed optimism that the training would enhance the officers’ capacity, better preparing them for future challenges and positioning them as leaders in the fight against narcotics.
Komesha further commended the government of Italy, through the Ministry of Interior, Department of Public Security – Central Directorate for Drug Services, and the European Union through the EU-ACT 2 Program, for their commitment to equipping anti-narcotic investigators with the skills and knowledge pivotal to combating drug-related crimes.
Criminal Investigation officers from various East African countries attend a workshop on building capacity to boost the fight against narcotics at the National Criminal Investigations Academy, Nairobi, May 26, 2025. /DCIKenya’s strategic location makes it a transit hub for narcotics, particularly heroin destined for Europe and other regions.
The country’s porous borders and limited maritime enforcement capabilities have been exploited by international drug syndicates.
Domestically, the proliferation of cannabis and synthetic drugs poses significant health risks, contributing to mental health disorders and social challenges.
In recent months, the DCI has however, intensified crackdown on narcotics trafficking, leading to significant arrests and seizures nationwide.
In February 2025, anti-narcotics officers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) intercepted a shipment of suspected amphetamines concealed in candles, originating from Bujumbura, Burundi, and destined for Australia.
Earlier, in July 2024, DCI officers seized methamphetamine valued at Sh9.2 million at JKIA, hidden within a courier consignment.
On the ground, operations have yielded substantial results too.
In January 2025, a raid in Mavoko, Machakos County, led to the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of 15 bags of cannabis.
In March, three suspects were apprehended in Mwiki, Nairobi, with 67 bales and five sacks of cannabis sativa.
Additionally, in April, authorities destroyed 3,987 kilogrammes of cannabis and 25 sachets of cocaine in Moyale, underscoring the government’s commitment to eradicating narcotics.
The DCI’s ongoing efforts, in collaboration with international partners, aim to disrupt these trafficking networks, safeguard public health, and enhance regional security.
The opening ceremony was also attended by the commandant of NCIA, Sospeter Munyi; Director of the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU), Samuel Laboso; Deputy Director of Training, Adan Guyo, OGW; and Marco Azzarone, Security Expert at the Italian Embassy in Nairobi, among other senior officers and officials.
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