Mombasa County and the Coast region as a whole have been in the news for a while due to insecurity cases being reported every now and then.
Apart from criminal gangs who attack and steal from residents, another critical problem that has caused headache among the security officers is drug trafficking.
Coast regional coordinator Nelson Marwa on Wednesday held a news briefing where he revealed some of the tricks criminals employ to carry out their evil deeds.
Here are the four tricks:
1.Using the beach as training ground
Marwa says there is a group of youths who jog everyday along the Nyali Beach, pretending to be exercising. He said police are suspicious about them and have launched investigations. Around 1,000 youths mainly from Kinango, Tana River and Mombasa are being trained by unknown persons at the beach, where they are given between Sh1,000 and Sh2000 as allowance. “The government is investigating what their agenda is and who is funding them,” he said.
2.Car importers give fake documents to sneak in luxury vehicles
Some car importers at the port of Mombasa use fake documents which indicate certain products while the truth of the matter is that they import cars to avoid paying taxes. Marwa said some lie in the declaration form that the imports are sandals but when indeed it is a Range Rover sports car among other types of luxury vehicles. Marwa said this trick is costing the port a lot in form of tax losses. “When a container lands at the port, it reflects in the system, but when it reaches Gate 18, it shows system error,” he added.
3. Groups change their names to hide their identity
One of the most dangerous gangs in town, Wakali Kwanza has changed its name in order to confuse police who run up and down everyday searching for them. According to Marwa, the gang has changed its name to Boma Yeye. He assured residents that they will mount a crackdown against the notorious boys harassing wananchi especially in Likoni and Kisauni.
4. Drug traffickers use funeral vehicles to do their business
Drug traffickers have devised another system of playing their cards and are now using funeral vehicles to transport drugs. Marwa said most of these vehicles are those coming back from upcountry after attending funeral ceremonies, and on their way back to Mombasa, they carry these drugs knowing that police would not suspect them. “We have to conduct burials with respect without taking advantage of the funeral vehicles to carry drugs on your return trip, " he said. He added that there was a woman in Bombululu who is notorious for that, but failed to mention her name.