Police Raid Kenyan Tycoon Ali Punjani’s Palatial Home in Crackdown on Illegal Drugs

Police on Monday raided the palatial home of Mombasa-based billionaire businessman Ali Punjani in a crackdown on narcotics drugs in the coastal city.

The operation was launched on Sunday by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and has so far seen 18 suspected drug traffickers arrested.

On Monday evening, a team of officers with sniffer dogs camped in the compound of tycoon Punjani’s posh home in Nyali estate.

Mombasa Police Commander Johnstone Ipara urged Punjani to present himself at any police station to record a statement over drug trafficking allegations.

Ipara said police will be forced to break into the mansion and search it for drugs if the businessman fails to present himself before authorities.

“We will not leave until we search this house top to bottom and establish that there are no drug substances inside,” said Ipara.

Bofu Member of County Assembly (MCA) Ahmed Salama is among the 18 people who were arrested in the crackdown on drugs.

Five of the 18 suspects were found 42 sachets of heroin, 147 rolls of bhang and Sh608,000 in fake Kenyan currency.

The suspects will be presented in court on Tuesday to face among other charges, drug trafficking.