Police have arrested a suspect and recovered 80 bales of bhang worth an estimated Sh4 million. The operation, which took place on Monday along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, was led by detectives from the Anti-narcotics Unit, with support from officers from Lari police station. This latest operation is part of an ongoing effort by law enforcement to curb the rising trend of illegal drug trafficking in Kenya.
The arrest occurred after officers, acting on intelligence reports, intercepted a vehicle driven by the suspect. During a thorough search, a concealed compartment in the vehicle was discovered, containing the bales of what is suspected to be narcotic drugs. Following the discovery, both the suspect and the vehicle were escorted to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters, where further searches led to the full recovery of the drugs.
The narcotics, believed to be cannabis, are often laced with chemicals to enhance their potency before being transported to major markets like Nairobi and Mombasa. Police have expressed concern over the increasing sophistication of traffickers, who continuously alter their routes to evade detection. Despite these challenges, authorities remain committed to dismantling drug trafficking networks and taking swift action against those involved.
In a separate operation, detectives from the Anti-narcotics Unit and the Operations Directorate raided a residence in the Kimbo area of Kiambu County, recovering additional narcotics. The operation uncovered dried green plant material, cannabis rolls, and weed cookies stored in buckets, along with equipment such as a digital weighing scale and an electric oven used for baking the cookies. The individual residing in the house managed to flee before authorities could make an arrest. However, the second location, a shop believed to be involved in the drug trade, led to the apprehension of two suspects. Several packaged rolls of cannabis were seized, further highlighting the scale of the illicit trade.
Authorities are particularly concerned about the rise of shashamane, a drug that is smoked or rolled into joints, often mixed with cannabis. The drug, when smoked, can affect people up to four meters away, creating a serious public health risk. In response, law enforcement has intensified operations targeting this illegal business, seizing dozens of bales worth millions of shillings.
The efforts to combat narcotics trafficking are vital, as Kenya grapples with increasing substance abuse, with drug use extending beyond urban centers into more rural areas. Police are determined to continue their aggressive actions to tackle the growing drug trade, sending a clear message that such activities will not go unpunished.
