Sleuths from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations(DCI) have rescued 60 victims of human trafficking who were being held at an apartment in Tassia estate in Embakasi, Nairobi County, who were bound for sale as slaves overseas.

In an intelligence-led sting operation conducted by the detectives based at DCI’s Transnational & Organized Crime Unit and Embakasi-based officers who were on a crackdown on illegal immigrants, the victims were found bundled up in a residential apartment within the estate.

"After securing the perimetre of the premise, the perceptive officers gained entry into the apartment, only to be greeted with hysterical faces of the victims, inhumanely bundled up in one room," the statement by the detectives read.

The detectives established that the victims who were between ages 14  to 50 were being trafficked from two countries neighboring Kenya to the north against their will, and were stumbled upon while the traffickers were finding ways to sneak them out of the country without raising much suspicion. 

"Upon further inquiries, it was established that the 60 victims had been ferried to the location temporarily, as the traffickers sought alternative ways of transporting them outside the country undetected," the DCI stated.

During the bust, three suspects of Somali origin namely Mohammed Omar Aden, 29, Halima Mohammed Osman, 43, and 23-year-old Sala Yusuf were arrested , believed to be part of a larger human trafficking syndicate operating across the Horn of Africa. 

The agency has confirmed that the victims are now in their custody in different police stations pending identification and legal procedures, while the suspects have been booked awaiting arraignment.

Kenyans were also urged to be on the look out for an unscrupulous dealings happening in their vicinities and contact the agency anonymously through their toll free line.