MACHAKOS: Authorities in Machakos County have seized 200 kilograms of bhang valued at Sh6.9 million, thwarting an attempt to transport the illicit substance from Migori to Mbooni. The operation led to the arrest of a suspect and the discovery of multiple vehicle number plates.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Machakos County Security Intelligence Committee (CSIC) conducted the operation in the early hours, intercepting a Toyota Wish vehicle in Machakos Town. The driver, found with two large sacks of bhang and six different vehicle number plates, was apprehended and is awaiting arraignment.
Machakos County Commissioner Josephine Ouko, who chairs the County Security Committee, confirmed the arrest and the value of the confiscated bhang. She emphasized the importance of improving security checks and urged traffic police to be vigilant, particularly concerning vehicles with heavily tinted windows that may conceal illegal activities.
Commissioner Ouko stated plans to deploy sniffer dogs on Machakos roads to
combat the transportation of illegal substances, which pose a danger to the community. She advised car hire businesses to ensure proper documentation, install trackers, and report any changes in clients’ intended destinations to the police.
County Police Commander Patrick Lobolia suggested the bhang, which was ground into powder, may have originated from Tanzania. The six number plates are suspected to belong to stolen vehicles, prompting authorities to initiate a search with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to verify ownership.
Commander Lobolia disclosed that the operation was prompted by a tip-off, allowing officers to track the vehicle from Mlolongo before intercepting it in Machakos. He assured the public that security teams have intensified efforts to monitor and investigate the transportation of bhang and other illegal substances in the region.