Five Arrested as Police Seize Over 582kg of Cannabis in Nationwide Anti-Drug Crackdown

Detectives have arrested five suspects and seized more than 582 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa in a nationwide crackdown on narcotics and psychotropic substances targeting Kisumu, Kisii and Nairobi counties.

The multi-agency operations, involving detectives from the National Anti-Narcotics Bureau (NANIB), Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB), Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) and K-9 Unit, also led to the recovery of 1,002 rolls of suspected bhang.

In Kisumu County, a joint intelligence-led operation involving NANIB officers from Busia and Nyanza, alongside DCI detectives from Kisumu, intercepted a gold Toyota Axio registration number KCM 214Q at Kisumu Boys Roundabout.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the driver defied police orders to stop, prompting officers to fire one round at the vehicle’s front-left tyre, causing it to deflate.

The driver reportedly escaped during the ensuing commotion, while the co-driver, identified as 21-year-old Frida Night Odour, was arrested as she attempted to flee.

A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered dry plant material suspected to be cannabis sativa, packed in seven Manila sacks, with additional quantities loosely placed inside the car.

The consignment weighed 282.55 kilogrammes and had an estimated street value of sh8,656,500.

Detectives also recovered 40 dozen packets of suspected uncustomed Supermatch cigarettes valued at Ksh40,000.

In a separate operation in Kisii County, NANIB detectives acting on information from a member of the public raided a house at Keumbu Trading Centre.

The operation led to the recovery of seven sacks containing approximately 300 kilogrammes of dry plant material suspected to be cannabis sativa.

A 32-year-old suspect, identified as Elijah Amisi Mogire, was arrested at the scene.

Meanwhile, in Nairobi, a multi-agency security team led by the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Jogoo Road conducted an intelligence-led operation at Jericho Estate in Buruburu Sub-County.

The officers raided a two-bedroom house occupied by three individuals, where they recovered 936 brown rolls and 66 red rolls of suspected bhang concealed in a black polythene bag.

The seized narcotics had an estimated street value of sh5,750. Detectives also recovered a bunch of keys from the house’s store.

Three suspects identified as Noah James Kariuli, Calvin Malibo and Brian Ndolo were arrested and booked at Jogoo Road Police Station.

The DCI said all recovered exhibits had been secured and the scenes documented, adding that the five suspects remained in police custody pending arraignment.

The investigative agency reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling narcotics trafficking networks across the country and urged members of the public to continue sharing information anonymously to support the fight against illegal drugs.

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