52 Refurbished Smartphones, Three Drones Seized in JKIA Security Operation

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has seized 52 refurbished mobile phones and three drones at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after a passenger allegedly attempted to move the items through customs using an airport cleaner.

In a statement issued on Saturday, KRA said customs officers became suspicious after spotting a cleaner leaving the terminal with two black backpacks. The officers reportedly grew more concerned when she attempted to leave the area quickly after making eye contact with them.

They stopped the employee and asked her to explain why she was carrying the bags. She told the officers that the luggage belonged to a female passenger who had handed it to her inside the airport and asked her to carry it through the customs area.

Customs officers subjected the bags to further screening using a CT baggage scanner, which detected electronic equipment. They then traced the passenger linked to the luggage.

According to KRA, the traveller, who had arrived on an international flight, admitted 

handing over the backpacks to the cleaner at the airport's restroom facilities. Officers reviewed the passenger's travel records and established that she frequently travelled internationally. A physical inspection conducted in the presence of both women revealed 52 refurbished smartphones and equipment associated with three drones.

The seized items included two DJI Mini 3 Pro drones and one drone from the DJI Air series. Other equipment recovered included drone controllers, batteries, chargers, travel adaptors and USB cables.

KRA said the items had been secured at a customs warehouse as investigations and administrative procedures continued. The authority did not immediately disclose whether the two women would face charges or penalties.

The tax authority reminded travellers and importers that bringing drones into Kenya requires compliance with regulations administered by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). It warned that the necessary approvals must be obtained before the equipment is imported.

Drones are subject to additional controls because their use has implications for aviation safety, airspace management and national security. Kenya's regulatory framework requires owners and operators to meet the applicable registration and authorisation requirements before using the equipment.

The latest seizure comes amid increased enforcement at JKIA. Earlier this month, customs officers intercepted dozens of undeclared iPhones reportedly worth millions of shillings from a passenger arriving from Dubai.