Kenyan authorities have made significant strides in the fight against narcotics trafficking with a series of coordinated arrests across the country in recent days. Several suspects, including a woman attempting to transport a large quantity of bhang, have been apprehended as part of this nationwide crackdown.
Busia Arrest: Woman Caught with 17 Kilograms of Bhang
In Busia, detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit arrested Bertha Anyango Wandera, 29, who was found in possession of 17 kilograms of bhang. Acting on a tip-off, the police intercepted Wandera as she was about to board a bus in Nambale, with plans to travel to Nairobi. The bhang, concealed in a brown traveling bag and wrapped in white cello tape, was estimated to have a street value of Sh514,500.
Wandera, who had already loaded her luggage onto the bus, was taken into custody and is expected to be arraigned on Monday, where she will face charges of trafficking narcotics.
Nambale-Busia Roadblock: Another Major Seizure
In a separate incident along the Nambale-Busia road, George Willis Obua was arrested at a multi-agency roadblock. Obua was found with 350 rolls of bhang, with an estimated street value of Sh660,000, while driving an Isuzu pick-up vehicle, registration number KBM 098P. The police, acting on intelligence, intercepted Obua’s vehicle, leading to his arrest.
Mai Mahiu: Suspect Nabbed with 19 Packages of Bhang
Meanwhile, in Mai Mahiu, a joint operation by the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) and the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) resulted in the arrest of a suspect carrying 19 packages of bhang. The coordinated efforts of these specialized units have been crucial in disrupting the flow of illegal drugs across the country.
DCI's Broader Effort Against Narcotics
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) praised the successful operations, stating that these arrests are part of a broader, ongoing effort to counter the illegal drug trade in Kenya. “The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) made significant strides over the weekend, seizing large quantities of narcotics and apprehending suspects through well-coordinated efforts by officers across the country,” the DCI stated.
The DCI reaffirmed its commitment to combating narcotics trafficking, warning the public against involvement in this illegal trade. They emphasized that offenders will be met with the full extent of the law, as the government continues its crackdown on those who engage in drug trafficking.
As the Kenyan authorities intensify their efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks, these recent arrests send a strong message that the country is determined to root out the illegal drug trade and bring perpetrators to justice.
