Two suspects were arrested in Diani, Kwale County, following a successful operation by detectives that saw bhang worth an estimated Ksh. 9,421,500 netted. The operation was conducted by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), alongside the anti-narcotics unit. It marks a significant win in the ongoing fight against illegal drugs in the coastal region, which has seen an uptick in the smuggling and distribution of narcotics.
The primary suspect in the case, Irene Auma, and her accomplice, Hamisi Omar, were taken into police custody during the operation at Corner ya Chief, a notorious area in Diani that has recently become a focal point for law enforcement agencies tracking the illicit drug trade.
The Operation
According to police reports, the bust was made possible thanks to a critical tip-off from concerned citizens, which prompted the authorities to act swiftly. The information led the detectives to the arrest of Hamisi Omar, who was caught red-handed during the swoop. Omar’s arrest quickly provided the necessary leads for officers to uncover more contraband.
“Omar’s apprehension opened the way for the detectives to discover a nearby drug store where 10 sacks of bhang were hidden. The sacks, weighing approximately 314.05 kilograms, were found packed in a concealed room, ready for distribution across the region,” the police stated.
The street value of the seized bhang was estimated to be Ksh. 9,421,500. After Omar’s arrest, further investigations led the detectives to the home of his accomplice, Irene Auma. Auma, aged 30, was arrested at a nearby house in possession of more narcotics. Both suspects are currently being held in police custody as they await further interrogation.
A Wider Drug Problem
This operation in Diani is part of a broader strategy by law enforcement agencies to clamp down on the rising tide of drug-related activities along Kenya’s coastline. The region has increasingly become a transit point for illicit drugs, smuggled into the country via the Indian Ocean and distributed to various parts of Kenya and beyond.
Speaking about the operation, the police indicated that the fight against drug traffickers is far from over, and they are following key leads that might help dismantle the syndicate operating in the region.
“Traffickers and suppliers have increasingly become more sophisticated in how they move and store their drugs. However, with the help of the community and advanced intelligence-gathering, we are determined to make sure no stone is left unturned,” said an officer involved in the operation.
In addition to the Diani raid, law enforcement agents also conducted another bust in Homa Bay County. In Rusinga West’s Luore Shopping Centre, officers seized several sacks of unrolled bhang with a street value of Ksh. 1,749,000. The officers also uncovered at least 30 jerrycans of illicit brew, commonly known as chang’aa, valued at approximately Ksh. 240,000.
Escaping the Dragnet
While the authorities celebrate the arrests and drug seizures, one major suspect remains at large. Kevin Barasa, alias Kevo, is believed to be the mastermind behind the illicit activities in Homa Bay County. Barasa managed to escape during the police operation, evading arrest as the detectives closed in. His escape has triggered a massive manhunt in the region, with police determined to bring him to justice.
“The search for Kevin Barasa is ongoing. He is a key figure in the trafficking network, and we are confident that with the public’s cooperation, we will eventually apprehend him,” the police confirmed.
Public Participation in Combating Narcotics
Authorities have praised the public’s involvement in the operations, emphasizing that it is through such cooperation that significant breakthroughs in the war against drugs can be made. Police are encouraging residents to continue providing tips that can lead to more arrests and disrupt the operations of drug syndicates.
The arrested traffickers are set to face charges in court, and the recovered narcotics will be used as evidence during their trial. Meanwhile, the authorities remain on high alert as the coastal and western regions of Kenya continue to battle the rampant trade in illegal drugs.
As the police continue their investigations, the arrests of Auma and Omar highlight the ongoing struggle against drug-related crimes in Kenya and the critical role of joint efforts between law enforcement and the public in making the country’s streets safer.
