A multi-agency security team intercepted a consignment of suspected narcotic drugs concealed inside duvets on a passenger bus at the Busia One-Stop Border Post.
The drugs were discovered at about 2.30am on Wednesday during routine passenger and cargo screening at the border.
According to police, officers were inspecting a Kampala–Nairobi-bound Simba Coach Scania bus when a Nigerian-style travel bag containing duvets raised suspicion after passing through the scanner.
A detailed search involving officers from the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) and Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) Busia led to the recovery of 164 pellets wrapped in yellow cellophane tape.
The pellets had been carefully concealed in different layers of two duvets.
Police arrested the bus driver, Vincent Olindo Nyambane, a 62-year-old man from Kisii, to assist with investigations.
However, the bus conductor reportedly disappeared during the offloading and scanning process. Police said he switched off his mobile phone and efforts to trace and arrest him are ongoing.
The bus and the recovered exhibits have been detained pending further investigations.
Authorities said the suspected substance will be forwarded to the Government Chemist for analysis to establish its type, weight and street value. Investigations are continuing.
