Police seize 582kg of cannabis in nationwide crackdown

NAIROBI, Kenya Nov 1 – Detectives have arrested five suspects and seized more than 582 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis sativa in coordinated anti-narcotics operations in Kisumu, Kisii and Nairobi.

The multi-agency operations, involving detectives from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB), Regional Drug Unit (RDU) and K-9 Unit, also resulted in the recovery of 1,002 rolls of suspected bhang.

In Kisumu, a joint intelligence-led operation involving officers from NANIB Busia, NANIB Nyanza and DCI Kisumu intercepted a saloon vehicle, at Kisumu Boys Roundabout.

Police say the driver defied orders to stop, prompting officers to fire a round at the vehicle’s front left tyre, forcing it to stop.

The driver escaped during the ensuing commotion, but the co-driver, identified as 21-year-old woman , was arrested while attempting to flee.

A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered 282.55 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis packed in seven Manila sacks, alongside additional quantities found loosely packed inside the car.

The consignment was valued at Ksh8.65 million. Officers also recovered 40 dozen packets of suspected uncustomed Supermatch cigarettes worth Ksh40,000.

In Kisii County, officers acting on a tip-off from a member of the public raided a house at Keumbu Trading Centre, recovering seven sacks containing approximately 300 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis.

A 32-year-old suspect was arrested during the operation.

Meanwhile, in Nairobi, a multi-agency team led by the Jogoo Road Officer Commanding Station (OCS) raided a two-bedroom house in Jericho Estate, Buruburu Sub-County.

The search led to the recovery of 1,002 rolls of suspected bhang, comprising 936 brown rolls and 66 red rolls, with an estimated street value of Ksh5,750.

Three suspects identified were arrested and detained at Jogoo Road Police Station.

Police say all recovered exhibits have been secured and the scenes documented, as the five suspects remain in custody pending arraignment.