US citizen allegedly found with cocaine in rectum denies drug trafficking charges

A U.S. national arrested after allegedly ingesting multiple cocaine pellets has denied charges of drug trafficking. 

Jarod Tyler Roberts was arraigned before the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Law Courts on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to trafficking cocaine valued at Ksh.240,000.

Through his lawyer, Danstan Omari, Roberts informed the court that he was in the process of finalising a plea bargain agreement with the state.

The case is set for mention on Wednesday to confirm the status of the negotiations. 

Roberts was rushed to MP Shah Hospital in Nairobi’s Westlands area on February 16 by his friends after experiencing severe abdominal pain.

Upon examination, medical personnel suspected he had ingested narcotic substances. The police were alerted, leading to his arrest. 

According to investigators, Roberts had checked into the hospital under the care of his associates, and further medical examinations confirmed the presence of foreign substances in his digestive system.

He was placed under close observation, with officers stationed on guard to monitor his condition. 

A medical procedure led to the retrieval of three pellets from his rectum through an endoscopy, with an additional pellet expelled later the same day.

Sources indicate that authorities suspect he may have ingested more pellets before his arrest. 

Preliminary investigations suggest Roberts may have been acting as a drug courier, though his defence team maintain he is not involved in trafficking.

The court will reconvene on Wednesday for further proceedings.