Rising cases of passengers being drugged under probe
Story by NATION Correspondent
Police are investigating incidents of drugging of passengers to Malindi from Mombasa.
Six passengers in as many days have been taken to Malindi police station after being drugged and robbed of cash and valuables in buses from Mombasa.
Yesterday, an elderly man was rushed to the local hospital after he was brought to the police station unconscious from a bus.
Drugging syndicate
Area police commander Philip Opiyo said: “It looks like there is a person or a syndicate of people on a drugging mission. We are investigating the matter.”
The criminals seem to be targeting passengers who use a particular bus company on the Mombasa-Malindi-Lamu route, said Mr Opiyo.
Passengers being targeted are those who look well-up, especially those with big suitcases and those who are dressed expensively, said the Police.
Other police sources said those who drugged the passengers chose certain foods which they offered to the travellers once the bus left the terminus.
Sharing food
“They tend to be very generous people, offering to share foods such as biscuits and candy with other passengers.
“Once the passengers accept and eat these foods, they get drugged,” said the source.
The police warned travellers to resist any offers of food from strangers and instead report such cases to officers.
“We are now on alert. We want to warn all travellers to be careful and to report to us anyone with such offers.
“This is because people are losing their money and property to the criminals,” said the source.
