NAIROBI, Kenya Mar 31 – The police have expressed concerns over alleged intimidation by suspected drug barons in the country opposed to the investigations on drug trafficking, particularly the recent seizure of Heroin worth more than Sh300 million.
Police Spokesman Erick Kiraithe told journalists they were aware of the coercion targeting the investigators and top officers directing the probe at Police Headquarters.
He said some of the barons behind drugs trafficking were the ones behind media reports that there was questionable discrepancy in the actual weight of the heroin that was seized at an apartment in Mombasa.
"We are very much aware of all those attempts of intimidation directed at the investigators and the top echelons of the police leadership directing the investigations but we will not be cowed," he said.
"All these attempts are being made because those behind this are surprised that the team that has been investigating this case have declined to be compromised. We know they are the ones even behind these reports that there is a discrepancy in the actual drugs weight," he said.
A team of lawyers led by Cliff Omcapitalfmnew who are representing the six suspects arrested in Shanzu area of Mombasa on Friday last week have also expressed fears over their lives after they received threatening text messages.
Police confirmed that the lawyers had recorded statements with the police on Wednesday and the matter was being investigated.
On Thursday, Mr Kiraithe said the team investigating drug trafficking cartels in the country was under firm instructions "not to be cowed by anyone."
"We have a very competent team on the ground undertaking this investigation, they will not stop at anything and apart from what was recovered last week… they are pursuing several other leads. We don\’t want to say much about what is being done," he said.
Six suspected drug traffickers arrested last week were charged in court on Monday for trafficking 102 kilograms of heroin.
Two of the suspects were also found with two pistols which police said were held illegally.
"As of Friday last week, the records we have showed that none of the two was licensed to carry a firearm. That is why they were charged for illegally possessing firearms," Mr Kiraithe said.
The suspects have asked the court to release them on bond.
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