In a recent incident at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), a foreign national was apprehended by the airport’s police officers for possessing military-grade bullets. This event unfolded on Wednesday, and the individual in question, reportedly hailing from Ghana, was found to be carrying three 9mm bullets. The bullets were discovered during a routine screening process as the man was en route to Dubai.
Upon the detection of these bullets in his luggage, the JKIA screening officials promptly alerted the airport’s law enforcement officers, who took the individual into custody for further questioning and investigation.
The authorities are currently conducting a comprehensive inquiry into the origin of the bullets. Initial findings suggest that these bullets may have been procured locally. To assist in the investigation and to address potential security concerns, the Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) was also called in to profile the detained individual.
As of now, the individual remains in the custody of detectives who are actively working to ascertain the source of the ammunition and the motivations behind carrying these bullets on an aircraft.
The 9mm bullets found in the possession of the detainee are predominantly used for combat or self-defense purposes by military organizations worldwide.
Consequently, the arrested individual faces the possibility of a seven-year imprisonment term, in accordance with the relevant legal provisions. The Firearms Act stipulates that “if the firearm in question is a prohibited weapon of a specified type or the ammunition is intended for such a firearm, the offender may be subject to imprisonment for a duration of not less than seven years and not more than fifteen years.” On the other hand, if the firearm or ammunition does not fall under the category of prohibited weapons, the imprisonment term may range from a minimum of five years to a maximum of ten years.