A Mombasa-based woman, Fatuma Ahmed Ali, has been fined Ksh600 million and sentenced to 40 years in prison after being found guilty of drug trafficking.
In a statement dated Tuesday, November 19, the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (ODPP) confirmed that Fatuma was convicted for trafficking heroin.
The prosecution revealed that Fatuma and her late husband were found in possession of heroin valued at Ksh275 million during a police operation in 2018.
Principal Magistrate Martin Rabera delivered the sentence, noting that the drugs were discovered concealed in two brown suitcases and a gunny bag at a residential house in Kikambala Housing Estate, Kilifi County.
“Prosecution led by Senior Counsel Barbara Sombo told the court that on September 20, 2018, the accused, along with others not before the court, trafficked narcotic drugs weighing 91,738 grams and valued at over Ksh275 million,” the ODPP stated.
The act was in violation of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act.
Magistrate Rabera ruled that the evidence presented in court was compelling and left no doubt about Fatuma’s involvement in the crime.
“There is no evidential gap to suggest that the exhibits were tampered with or planted. Having reviewed and analyzed all the evidence, I find the charges against the accused proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The accused is hereby convicted as charged,” Rabera declared.
Fatuma’s late husband, who was also implicated in the crime, had been convicted before his passing. However, the date of his death was not specified in the ODPP’s statement.
The case highlights the government’s ongoing efforts to crack down on drug trafficking and impose severe penalties on offenders.
