A recent police raid in Ukunda has brought to light a hidden drug laboratory that had been operating quietly in Mwabungo village.
The discovery has left many residents in shock, as the facility was found in what appeared to be an ordinary one-acre compound.
The operation was led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations after a period of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
The main suspect is a 37-year-old Italian man who is believed to have been running the lab with the help of a Kenyan accomplice.The raid was conducted by the Anti-Narcotics Unit in the early hours of the morning.
Officers say they had been watching the compound for several days after receiving tips about unusual activity and tightened security on the premises. When they finally moved in, what they uncovered was far from ordinary. Inside the compound, detectives found laboratory-grade chemicals, drug packaging materials, and equipment often used in the production of synthetic narcotics.
The setup included flasks, chemical storage containers, and burners, suggesting that large quantities of drugs were being processed on site.
More alarming was a section of the compound where cannabis plants were being grown. Photographs shared by the DCI showed rows of cultivated plants, pointing to a drug operation that included both manufacturing and farming.
The Italian suspect and his Kenyan partner were arrested at the scene and are now in custody as police prepare to take them to court. Investigators are also looking into whether other individuals were involved or helped in setting up the operation.
The discovery of the Ukunda drug lab has raised concerns about the increasing presence of foreign-led criminal activities in Kenya.
Authorities believe that this case could be linked to a wider international drug network. The DCI has pointed to similarities with another drug facility that was raided in September 2024 in Kajiado County, near the Nairobi-Namanga Highway.
In that case, a 10-acre property was found to house a drug lab, a chemical storage area, and living quarters.
That raid led to the arrest of three Kenyans, two Nigerians, and a Mexican national, while two other suspects from Mexico escaped.
These back-to-back discoveries have shown how international drug cartels may be using Kenya as both a production and transit point. Investigations so far suggest that the networks involved stretch across several countries, including Nigeria, India, Mexico, South Africa, and Gabon.
The authorities are treating this as a serious national security threat, and have promised to take tougher action against such operations.
Community leaders in Kwale County are now calling for tighter monitoring of foreign-owned properties and increased support for intelligence efforts.
For many locals, the idea that such a dangerous operation existed so close to home is deeply disturbing.
It highlights how organized crime can hide in plain sight, taking advantage of quiet communities and weak monitoring systems.
The suspects arrested in Ukunda are expected to appear in court this week. Meanwhile, the police are continuing their investigations to uncover any additional links or collaborators involved in the drug lab.
This incident serves as a serious warning about the growing presence of global drug networks on Kenyan soil, and the urgent need to strengthen both community awareness and law enforcement responses.
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