Police have seized 50 bags of suspected bhang worth a staggering Ksh37.5 million in Kisii County.
In a statement on Wednesday, April 24, the National Police Service (NPS) said the operation, which took place on the night of April 23, involved officers from Gesonso police station in Kisii County and their counterparts from the Transnational Organized Crimes Unit.
According to the NPS, the interception occurred in Itierio along the Migori-Kisii Highway.
Four vehicles were intercepted during the operation, and the suspected cannabis was found in their possession.
During the operation, one suspect identified as Joseph Nisa Ouma, an occupant of the vehicle bearing registration plate KCR 176 C (Toyota Probox), was apprehended.
POLICE SEIZE 50 BAGS OF SUSPECTED BHANG IN KISII COUNTY pic.twitter.com/VKTkhkLSUz
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) April 24, 2024
Additionally, he was found in possession of Ksh30,000 in cash.
However, drivers of other vehicles involved in the saga managed to evade capture, fleeing the scene before authorities could apprehend them.
“On 23/04/2024 night, NPS Officers from Gesonso police station in Kisii County and their DCI counterparts from the Transnational Organized Crimes Unit intercepted four vehicles and recovered 50 sacks of suspected to be Cannabis Sativa with an estimated street value of Ksh37,500,000, at Itierio area, along Migori -Kisii Highway. One suspect namely Joseph Nisa Ouma an occupant of KCR 176 C (Toyota Probox) was also arrested while in possession of Ksh30, 000, while the rest of the drivers escaped,” the NPS statement read in part.
Adding;
“Four vehicles impounded during the operation bearing registration plates KCQ O81 R, KBM 645 S and KBX 751 Y have also been detained.”
The vehicles involved in the illegal activity have been impounded and detained. Their registration plates are listed as KCQ 081 R, KBM 645 S, and KBX 751 Y.
Bhang menace in Kisii
In a separate incident on April 13, police impounded 14 bags of bhang in a matatu headed to Keroka.
The police sprang into action when they noticed suspicious behaviour from a matatu driver. Their pursuit led to a dramatic escape attempt when the driver veered onto a side road in Kegati, only to lose control and end up in a ditch.
Upon inspecting the vehicle, law enforcement uncovered a stash of 14 sacks of bhang. The illegal goods and the vehicle were seized, but the driver managed to evade capture, sparking a search operation.
This incident follows closely on the heels of another drug bust in Migori county, where two suspects, Daniel Okoth and Erick Ombima, were apprehended while transporting bhang valued at Ksh9 million.
They had attempted to sneak the contraband through a police roadblock near the Karamu Bridge area.
Describing the vehicle involved in the smuggling attempt, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) highlighted the Land Cruiser Prado’s impressive features.
Despite their efforts to evade authorities, the suspects were intercepted, with one attempting to flee but ultimately being caught.
The seized cargo amounted to six gunny bags.
