17-year-old TikToker among two charged with trafficking heroin worth Ksh.327K in Mombasa

A 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old TikToker were on Friday charged with trafficking 109.17 grams of heroin valued at Ksh.327,510.

Amir Latif and the minor appeared before a Mombasa court where they denied the charges.

Prosecutors told the court the quantity and street value of the narcotics pointed to serious trafficking, not mere possession.

Principal Prosecution Counsel Purity Musembi urged the court to impose strict bond terms, arguing that drug offences pose a significant risk to public safety.

Resident Magistrate Green Odera ordered Latif to post a bond of Ksh.1 million with a surety of an equal amount.

The suspect was also directed to surrender his passport and was barred from leaving the court’s jurisdiction until the case is heard and determined.

The minor, however, will remain in custody. Following an age assessment confirming she is 17, the court declined to grant her bond.

She was remanded at Likoni Children’s Remand Home, where she will be placed under the supervision of the Children’s Department for correction, rehabilitation and reintegration.

A social inquiry report presented in court indicated the teenager had left her parents’ home three years ago and had been living with Latif.

Both face charges under Section 4(a)(ii) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, as amended in 2022.