Police officers from the Masangora Police Post in Kuria West Sub-County, Migori County, have made a significant drug seizure following a routine patrol within Masangora Market on Tuesday. The officers, acting on a tip-off from a concerned member of the public, intercepted a consignment of what is suspected to be cannabis sativa, valued at an estimated Sh3 million.
During their patrol, the officers spotted a motorcycle with Tanzanian registration plates carrying four large bags. Upon noticing the police, the rider of the motorcycle attempted to flee the scene, abandoning both the motorcycle and the bags. The quick-thinking officers seized the bags, and upon inspection, suspected the contents to be illicit drugs, likely cannabis sativa.
Authorities have since launched an investigation into the matter, intensifying their efforts to dismantle the drug trade in the region. This seizure adds to a series of significant drug-related arrests and recoveries in Migori County, reflecting the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the illicit drug trade.
Just two weeks earlier, on January 7, security officers, including the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), the Anti-Narcotic Unit (ANU), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), conducted a multi-agency operation in the county. The operation, aimed at dismantling a drug and alcohol syndicate, resulted in the arrest of two suspected drug traffickers and the seizure of a range of illicit substances.
Among the recovered items were 384 tariffs and 628 sticks of suspected marijuana, 21.5 litres of chang’aa, and two sacks containing dry green plant material suspected to be cannabis. Further searches yielded more cannabis-related items, including 40 tariffs, 230 sticks, 1.5 litres of chang’aa, uncustomed cigarette packets, and an improvised smoking device.
These seizures are part of a broader crackdown on illegal drugs in Migori, an area known for being a transit point for drugs flowing into Kenya from neighboring Tanzania. The region has seen several notable drug busts, including one in August 2024, where 73.6kg of marijuana worth Sh2.2 million was seized along the Migori-Sirare highway.
The relentless efforts of local authorities to curb the drug trade are paying off, with increasing recoveries and arrests sending a strong message to drug traffickers and dealers. Despite the challenges, security agencies remain committed to eliminating drug trafficking in the area, with ongoing operations and investigations continuing to make significant strides toward a drug-free community.
