Police in Marsabit County have confiscated a significant quantity of bhang in a major crackdown on drug trafficking. Officers recovered 137 kilograms of the illegal substance, estimated to have a street value of approximately Ksh. 4.1 million, in a targeted operation near Moyale town.
The drugs were discovered in Antut area, about 35 kilometers from Moyale, hidden within the residence of a suspect. Packed into 27 sizeable packets, the consignment is believed to have been part of a larger distribution network operating across the region.
Authorities revealed that the operation was made possible following a tip-off from concerned members of the local community. The information provided led officers to the precise location, enabling them to intercept the consignment before it could be moved.
The suspect, a 35-year-old woman, is currently being held at the Moyale police station. She is expected to be arraigned in court where she will face charges related to drug possession and trafficking. Investigations are ongoing to establish whether she acted alone or was part of a broader syndicate involved in the distribution of narcotics in the region.
The incident highlights the growing concern over the rising cases of drug trafficking in northern Kenya, a region that has increasingly become a transit corridor for illicit substances. The area’s proximity to international borders and porous crossing points has made it a target for traffickers seeking to move drugs both within and outside the country.
Law enforcement officials have reiterated their commitment to combating the drug menace and have called for continued collaboration with local communities. They acknowledged the critical role that residents play in providing timely intelligence, which has proven effective in previous operations.
This latest seizure adds to a series of recent crackdowns in Marsabit and surrounding counties, where police have intensified efforts to dismantle drug networks. Several operations have led to arrests and the recovery of substantial quantities of narcotics, signaling a tougher stance by authorities on drug-related crimes.
Officials are also urging parents, educators, and community leaders to work together in sensitizing the youth about the dangers of drug abuse. There are growing fears that increased accessibility to such substances could negatively impact the region’s social fabric, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Meanwhile, security agencies are expected to ramp up patrols and surveillance in key hotspots identified as drug trafficking routes. Plans are also underway to enhance inter-agency cooperation and improve intelligence gathering to stay ahead of evolving tactics used by traffickers.
With this successful operation, authorities hope to send a strong message to individuals involved in the drug trade that such activities will not be tolerated. The seized bhang has since been secured as evidence pending further legal proceedings.
