A Thai national has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting to smuggle over two kilograms of cocaine through Kenya’s main airport. The conviction comes after the court found him guilty of trafficking narcotic drugs valued at Sh8.36 million.
Senior Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi at the JKIA Law Courts ruled that Netima Ngamsap had violated the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act.
Prosecutors told the court that the drugs were hidden in a false bottom of a grey suitcase, a method designed to avoid detection.
The State, led by John Tago, called eleven witnesses whose testimonies were described as “cogent and consistent evidence linking the accused to the offence.” The witnesses detailed how the narcotics were recovered, handled, and analyzed in forensic laboratories, forming the core of the prosecution’s case.
In delivering her judgment, Magistrate Gichobi stated that the evidence clearly placed Ngamsap in possession of the drugs, proving the charge beyond reasonable doubt.
She handed down a 27-year prison sentence, reflecting the strict stance Kenyan courts take against drug trafficking, particularly at major points of entry such as Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
During the trial, the accused was provided with a professional Thai interpreter to ensure he fully understood the proceedings. “Upon conviction and sentencing, the court informed the accused of his right to appeal against both conviction and sentence within 14 days,” the court confirmed.
The case is part of ongoing efforts by Kenyan authorities to crack down on international drug trafficking networks operating through the country’s airports. The ruling signals a continued focus on tightening surveillance and enforcing the law against narcotics importation.
