Police in Narok town are holding two robbery suspects who were busted stealing from a Mpesa shop.
Daily Nation reports that the two were found emptying a cashbox moments after drugging a Mpesa shop attendant identified as Margaret Mantaine.
Their plan was thwarted after Ms. Mantaine’s relative John Maina, who was outside the shop, sensed that something was wrong.
When he peeped inside the shop, he saw the two suspects emptying the safe while Ms. Mantaine looked dizzy.
“When I entered the shop, I found her confused, dizzy, weak and her vision was blurry. I realized all was not well and raised the alarm as I battled the two men,” said Maina.
The two were forced to lock themselves inside the shop as angry mob bade for their blood.
Police arrived and shot in the air to disperse the crowd that had gathered outside the shop ready to attack the suspects. The two were arrested and taken to Narok Police Station.
Maina said the two had stolen Sh200,000, which was later recovered.
The suspects are said to have used a drug known as Scopolamine or “Devil’s Breath” to stupefy the shop attendant. The drug is reportedly blown into victims’ faces and takes effect almost immediately.
“You can give out your ATM PIN and card, the money in your pocket or purse and M-Pesa transfer details without being coerced,” Joseph ole Nkamasiai, a doctor at Narok County Referral Hospital told Daily Nation.
“Once they immobilize you, the criminals will tell you to do anything and you find yourself doing it without fighting back. Later when you recover from its effects, you will have no memory of what happened.”
