Undercover police bust bhang consignment disguised as mitumba
By Cynthia Lodite, August 12, 2025The National Police Service (NPS) has intercepted a major narcotics consignment wrapped in clothes packed as second-hand clothes in the Changamwe area, Mombasa County.
In a report released by the National Police Service on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, NPS revealed that the intelligence-led operation was executed by officers from Changamwe Police Station who had received credible leads about a bus transporting illegal drugs.
According to NPS, at the time of the apprehension, the team mounted an ambush at Changamwe Roundabout, where the bus was observed offloading a bale under suspicious circumstances.
“Police in Mombasa have intercepted a major narcotics consignment in a decisive, intelligence-led operation. On 11 August 2025, officers from Changamwe Police Station, acting on credible intelligence, mounted an undercover ambush targeting a Buscar Bus Ltd vehicle suspected of transporting contraband,” NPS stated.
Events that led to the apprehension
NPS has further revealed that shortly after the consignment was offloaded from the bus, a man on a motorcycle arrived to collect the package. It was at that moment that officers pounced and apprehended the key person of interest as he attempted to load the suspicious luggage.
“The bus was intercepted at Changamwe Roundabout, where it offloaded a suspicious bale disguised as mitumba (second-hand clothes). Moments later, a suspect on a motorcycle arrived to collect the package. Officers moved in swiftly, arresting him as he attempted to load it,” NPS noted.
In addition, the National Police Service has revealed that upon inspection, the bale, which was wrapped in clothing to resemble mitumba, was found to contain a 90kg sack packed with rolls of cannabis sativa, carefully concealed in black polythene bags.
“A thorough search revealed the luggage to be a 90kg sack packed with rolls of cannabis sativa (bhang), concealed in a black polythene bag and wrapped in clothing to mask its contents,” NPS said.
The National Police Service reiterated its commitment to cracking down on drug trafficking networks and called on the public to continue sharing actionable intelligence to help curb the menace.
Notably, according to NPS, the person of interest is currently in police custody, pending processing and arraignment.