A 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were arraigned in a Mombasa court on Friday, facing charges of heroin trafficking in a case that has drawn public attention due to the involvement of a minor.
Case Details
According to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the accused, Amir Latif, and the teenage TikToker were found in possession of 109.17 grams of heroin valued at Ksh. 327,510.
The two appeared before Resident Magistrate Green Odera and were charged under Section 4(a)(ii) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, as amended in 2022. Both pleaded not guilty.
Prosecution’s Position
Principal Prosecution Counsel Purity Musembi urged the court to impose strict bond terms, citing the seriousness of the offence and the need to protect the public from the dangers of illicit drugs.
Court Ruling
- Latif was granted a Ksh. 1 million bond with a surety of a similar amount. He was also ordered to surrender his passport and barred from leaving the court’s jurisdiction pending trial.
- The court declined to grant bond to the minor after an age assessment confirmed she is 17 years old. She was remanded at the Likoni Children’s Remand Home and placed under the care of the Children’s Department for correction, reintegration, and rehabilitation.
Social Inquiry Report
A report presented in court revealed that the girl had been living with Latif for the past three years after leaving her parents’ home, raising further concerns about her welfare and circumstances.
Next Steps
Pre-trial proceedings are scheduled for March 17, 2026, as investigations continue into the case.
Conclusion
The case underscores the growing challenge of drug trafficking in Kenya and highlights the complexities when minors are involved. With strict bond conditions imposed and rehabilitation measures in place for the teenager, the court has signaled its intent to balance justice with public safety.
