A 29-year-old woman, Winfred Nkatha, appeared before Malindi Law Courts on Monday following her arrest with 255 kilogrammes of Cannabis sativa in Kilifi County.
Nkatha, suspected of drug trafficking, pleaded not guilty and was granted a Ksh 2 million surety bond, with no option for cash bail. The case is set for mention on April 23, 2026, for pre-trial directions.
The arrest was part of an intelligence-led operation by the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) in Malindi, working alongside officers from Watamu Police Station.
Acting on credible information, detectives raided a residential house in the Jimba area along Mwatela Road, off the Watamu–Gede Road.
Upon entering the premises, officers found Nkatha inside. A thorough search uncovered eight sacks containing rolls of dried plant material wrapped in khaki paper, later confirmed as cannabis.
The total weight of the seized drugs was 255 kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of Ksh 7.65 million.
The suspect and the seized exhibits were taken to Watamu Police Station for further processing.
The DCI highlighted that this arrest shows ongoing efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks and protect communities from the harmful effects of narcotics.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations urged the public to continue providing information to aid in the fight against illegal drugs.