Busia: Motorbike drug run foiled as police nab suspects with 24kg bhang
By Cynthia Lodite, August 4, 2025Police in Busia County have detained two persons of interest in connection with the trafficking of 24 kilograms of cannabis sativa, following an operation that intercepted a motorcycle transporting the illegal substance.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation(DCI), the persons of interest were intercepted while transporting bhang, an illegal substance in Kenya.
The DCI, in a report to the public on Monday, August 4, 2025, further revealed details of the persons of interest while also acknowledging the means of transportation used by the individuals while moving the substance.
“Busia Police Station Officers have apprehended two individuals behind the trafficking of cannabis sativa in Busia and its environs. The officers intercepted a motorcycle bearing the registration number KMEY 867L, with its rider, 50-year-old Alfred Ouma Mapesa,” DCI stated.
Events that led to the interception
According to DCI, the persons of interest were transporting the banned substance in gunny bags, and despite being concealed, they were nabbed. The directorate also added that at the time of the interception, the persons of interest further unveiled their accomplice, who facilitated the illegal trade
“To their surprise, he was transporting a gunny bag that contained 24 kilograms of cannabis sativa. Upon interrogation, Mapesa didn’t hold back; he revealed his accomplice in this illegal trade, 41-year-old Frederick Egesa Wafula,” DCI revealed.
Similarly, DCI has revealed that the third person of interest, identified as Frederick Egesa Wafula, was apprehended and taken into custody moments after.
On the other hand, the directorate further stated that the persons of interest are now undergoing processing while they await court appearance.
“As a result, Wafula was swiftly taken into custody moments later. The duo now finds themselves in the clutches of the law, undergoing processing pending their court appearance,” DCI revealed.
NACADA report on Bhang
Worth noting, according to a report by NACADA, in Kenya, marijuana or bhang is the most widely used narcotic drug. The report follows a survey conducted by NACADA in 2012, which revealed that 1.0% of the population aged 15-65 years is currently using an illegal substance.
In addition, the report also revealed that in terms of regional variation, Nyanza has the highest prevalence of current marijuana/bhang users, followed by Nairobi, Coast (1.3%), North Eastern, Central, Rift Valley and Eastern.
“In Kenya, marijuana/bhang is the most widely used narcotic drug. According to a survey conducted by NACADA in 2012, 1.0% of the population aged 15-65 years is currently using this illicit drug. In terms of regional variation, Nyanza has the highest prevalence of current marijuana/bhang users at 1.7% followed by Nairobi(1.3%), Coast (1.3%), North Eastern (1.1%), Central (1.1%), Rift Valley (0.9%) and Eastern (0.8%),” read the report in part.