Over 5,000 nabbed for drug offenses in 2017

THE Drug Enforcement Commission last year arrested 5,757 persons for drug related cases and seized over K2.5 million and $364,400.00 in counterfeit monies.

DEC Commissioner Alita Mbahwe told the Daily Nation that in 2017 5,757 persons were arrested for drug related crimes and the commission had secured 1,534 convictions.

She said among the arrested 5,351 were male while 406 were female and 329 were juveniles between the ages of 10 and 17 and 107 were foreign nationals.

Ms Mbahwe said the DEC also arrested a total number of 134 persons for money laundering related offences involving K39, 358, 0056.80 and US $432,781.00.

She said the commission had seized various items among them 31 bank accounts with values of K1, 525,765.93 and US$ 37,695.09.

Ms Mbahwe said the DEC had further seized a record K2, 598,645.00 and $364,400.00 of counterfeit monies.

She explained that 39 money laundering convictions had been secured during the period under review of which eleven were convictions for counterfeit currency cases.

“Eight motor vehicles with an estimated value of K445, 000.00. a chain saw valued at 70,000.00 livestock and various household goods with an esrimated value of K147,000.00 and cash amounting to 177,505.00 were forfeited to the state,” Ms Mbahwe said.