Tanzanian couple arrested over bus passenger drugging syndicate in Mombasa

A Tanzanian couple aged 52 and 47 has been arrested by detectives in Mombasa in connection with an organized crime syndicate involving the drugging and robbing of long-distance bus passengers traveling between Nairobi and Mombasa.

According to a statement issued by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the investigation stems from an incident that occurred on September 18, 2026. 

A passenger boarded a Dreamline bus in Nairobi heading to Mombasa. During the journey, the passenger was seated next to an individual who allegedly administered a stupefying substance, causing him to lose consciousness. 

The victim later woke up at the Tudor Sub-County Hospital in Mombasa, only to discover that his bag and other personal belongings had been stolen.

Following the victim’s report, detectives stationed at the Makupa Police Station launched an investigation. 

Utilizing forensic leads, officers traced the suspects to a house located in the Magongo area of Mombasa. 

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Upon raiding the residence, police arrested the couple and conducted a search, recovering the complainant’s stolen HP laptop and an iPhone 17 Pro Max – a discovery the DCI described as a crucial breakthrough in the ongoing case.

In addition to the complainant’s property, officers uncovered a stash of other items inside the residence, suggesting a broader theft operation. 

The recovered property included multiple assorted mobile phones, 20 phone chargers, 10 wristwatches, 20 wallets, assorted items of clothing, and substances suspected to be stupefying drugs. 

All recovered items have been secured and detained as exhibits as detectives work to link them to similar unreported or unresolved theft cases.

The two suspects remain in police custody undergoing processing prior to being arraigned in court. 

The DCI noted that all claims against the suspects have not yet been tested in court. 

The DCI has appealed to members of the public who may have fallen victim to similar drugging incidents on long-distance buses—or who have relevant information—to report anonymously to detectives via their toll-free number or WhatsApp line, reassuring citizens that their identity will remain confidential.

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