The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intercepted 52 refurbished mobile phones and three drones at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi in an operation targeting suspected attempts to smuggle goods into the country.
The interception followed a routine clearance process involving arriving passengers, when Customs officers flagged an airport employee who was carrying two black backpacks as he exited the terminal.
According to a media brief issued by KRA on Saturday, October 17, the employee, who works as a cleaner at the airport, attempted to flee after attracting the attention of Customs officers but was intercepted for further questioning.
During interrogation, the employee told officers that a female passenger had handed him the two bags and asked him to take them through Customs.
The officers subsequently subjected the backpacks to screening using a computerised tomography (CT) baggage scanner, which revealed the presence of drones and assorted mobile phones.
Customs officers then traced the female passenger, who had arrived in the country aboard an international flight. She confirmed that she had handed the bags to the airport employee while using the washrooms.
A review of her travel documents established that she was a frequent traveller, prompting officers to conduct a physical verification of the contents of the bags in the presence of both the passenger and the airport worker.
The inspection confirmed that the luggage contained 52 refurbished assorted mobile phones and three drones, alongside drone controllers, batteries and other accessories.
Among the recovered items were two DJI Mini 3 Pro drones, complete with two controllers and two batteries, as well as one DJI Air 2S drone, its controller, battery and accessories.
Other items found in the bags included mobile phone chargers, travel adapters, USB cables, screen protectors and personal effects.
KRA said the intercepted goods had been secured and deposited at the Customs warehouse pending further action.
The Authority noted that the operation demonstrated the importance of baggage-scanning technology in detecting goods that may be concealed or moved through unauthorised channels.
KRA said it was strengthening the use of technology and risk-based passenger screening to facilitate legitimate travel and trade while addressing attempts to circumvent Customs controls.
The latest interception also highlights the role of vigilance among Customs officers in identifying suspicious movements and ensuring that goods entering the country comply with applicable import requirements.
In its advisory, KRA further reminded travellers and importers that bringing drones into Kenya is subject to regulatory restrictions and requires the relevant authorisation from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
Travellers intending to import drones are therefore required to establish and comply with the applicable regulatory requirements before bringing the equipment into the country.
The authority said it remained committed to safeguarding government revenue, protecting the integrity of Kenya's borders and facilitating compliant passenger movement through the strategic deployment of technology, intelligence and enforcement measures.
The latest incident adds to the challenges faced by border officials in monitoring the movement of goods through major entry points, particularly where individuals may attempt to bypass established clearance procedures by transferring luggage between passengers and airport workers.
KRA did not indicate whether any charges had been filed against the passenger or the airport employee by the time of issuing the statement.
