A Tanzanian woman has been handed a 45-year prison sentence by a Mombasa court for her involvement in heroin trafficking.
The verdict was delivered on Tuesday, January 30, by Principal Magistrate Martin Rabera.
In a statement, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said that Maimuna Jumanne Amir, the middle-aged Tanzanian national, was found guilty of trafficking heroin with an estimated value of Ksh16,167,000.
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The illicit substance, weighing 5,389 grams, was concealed in a black travel bag.
In addition to the lengthy prison term, Amir was also slapped with a hefty fine of Ksh48,501,000.
According to the ODPP, this fine, equivalent to three times the value of the drugs in her possession, is a punitive measure.
In the event of failure to pay the fine, the ODPP said Amir faces an additional 10-year prison term for the offence of trafficking in narcotic drugs, as per Section 4(a) of the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act No. 4 of 1994.
"A Mombasa court today sentenced a middle-aged Tanzanian woman to 45 years in prison for trafficking heroin worth Ksh 16,167,000. Principal Magistrate Hon. Martin Rabera found Maimuna Jumanne Amir guilty of drug trafficking of 5,389 grams of heroin concealed in a black travel bag. The accused was fined Ksh 48,501,000 (three times the value of the drugs in her possession) and, in default, served 10 years in prison for the offence of trafficking in narcotic drugs, contrary to Section 4(a) of the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act No. 4 of 1994. She was also sentenced to 35 years in prison," the statement read in part.
The court, taking a stern stance, sentenced her to an additional 35 years in prison.
In the statement, the charges stem from an incident on March 14, 2021, at Moi International Airport in Changamwe Sub-county within Mombasa County.
The court revealed that Amir committed the offence in collaboration with individuals not currently before the court.
Rabera noted that the prosecution, led by Prosecution Counsel Barbara Sombo, successfully met the legal standards required.
A total of 16 prosecution witnesses provided collaborative evidence against Amir, placing her at the scene of the crime.
The court said Amir failed to exonerate herself from the charges, leaving the judicial system with no alternative but to convict and sentence her according to the law.
A Mombasa court today sentenced a middle-aged Tanzanian woman to 45 years in prison for trafficking heroin worth Ksh 16,167,000.
Principal Magistrate Hon. Martin Rabera found Maimuna Jumanne Amir guilty of drug trafficking of 5,389 grams of heroin concealed in a black travel… pic.twitter.com/G7RNeplu73— Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions (@ODPP_KE) January 30, 2024
