The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intercepted 52 refurbished mobile phones and three drones at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after a passenger allegedly attempted to bypass Customs checks by handing two bags to an airport cleaner.
According to KRA, Customs officers discovered the items while screening arriving passengers after spotting the cleaner carrying two black backpacks as she exited the terminal.
The authority said the employee allegedly attempted to flee after noticing the officers but was intercepted for questioning.
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“During interrogation, the airport employee told the officers that a female passenger had handed her the two bags and requested her to take them through Customs,” KRA said in a statement.
The officers subsequently screened the backpacks using a CT baggage scanner, which revealed drones and assorted mobile phones.
KRA said officers later traced the female passenger, who had arrived aboard an international flight. The passenger confirmed that she had handed the bags to the airport employee while using the restrooms.
A physical inspection conducted in the presence of both the passenger and the employee established that the bags contained 52 refurbished mobile phones, three drones, controllers, batteries and other accessories.
The recovered equipment included two DJI Mini 3 Pro drones and one DJI Air 25 drone, alongside their respective controllers, batteries and accessories.
The bags also contained phone chargers, travel adapters, USB cables, screen protectors and personal effects.
KRA said the seized items had been secured and transferred to its Customs warehouse pending further action.
The authority said it was strengthening the use of technology and risk-based screening to facilitate legitimate travel and trade while detecting attempts to circumvent Customs controls.
KRA also reminded travellers and importers that drone imports into Kenya are restricted and require the relevant authorisation from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
It urged travellers to establish and comply with applicable regulatory requirements before bringing drones into the country.
The authority did not provide further details in the supplied statement about whether charges had been filed against the passenger or the airport employee.
