Two suspects were intercepted while preparing to board an Emirates flight to Dubai after officers allegedly found gold concealed under a hijab and inside a bra.
Two women have been arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after security officers reportedly foiled an attempt to smuggle about 658 grams of suspected gold out of Kenya.
The two suspects, identified as Mahamed Shukri Abdullahi and Sabriye Farhiyo Hussein, were intercepted in the early hours of September 4, 2026, as they prepared to board an Emirates flight destined for Dubai.
Their journey came to an abrupt end after a multi-agency security team subjected them to a search.
Suspected Gold Bar Hidden Under Hijab
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), one of the suspects, Mahamed Shukri Abdullahi, was allegedly found carrying a 541-gram gold bar concealed in her hair.
The gold bar had reportedly been wrapped with a hairband and tucked beneath her hijab in an attempt to conceal it from airport security officers.
But officers conducting the operation discovered the hidden item before she could board the flight.
Second Suspect Had Gold Pellet Inside Bra
The second suspect, Sabriye Farhiyo Hussein, was also allegedly carrying suspected gold.
Investigators reportedly recovered a gold pellet weighing 116.79 grams, which had been concealed inside her bra.
The two discoveries brought the total weight of the suspected gold recovered during the operation to approximately 658 grams.
The arrests highlight the lengths to which suspected mineral smugglers may go to conceal valuable commodities while attempting to leave the country.
Two Women Await Court Appearance
Following the arrests, the two women were taken into custody as investigations continued.
They are undergoing processing pending arraignment, according to the DCI.
Authorities are expected to investigate where the suspected gold came from, who was behind the alleged smuggling attempt and whether the suspects were part of a wider mineral-smuggling network.
The DCI said its multi-agency teams remain focused on disrupting illegal mining and mineral-smuggling networks and protecting Kenya’s natural resources from criminal exploitation.
The suspects remain innocent unless proven guilty in court.
