Kitui drug smugglers vanish in the bush, Nacada mounts pursuit

The suspects, who had been under surveillance for days, were intercepted by its multi-agency ditched their consignment and motorcycles before fleeing in the bushes. [Courtesy, NACADA]

A drug bust unfolded dramatically in Kwa Vonza, Kitui County, after two suspected cannabis traffickers fled into the bush after a high-stakes pursuit by NACADA and anti-narcotics officers.

According to the agency, the suspects, who had been under surveillance for days, were intercepted by its multi-agency ditched their consignment and motorcycles before fleeing in the bushes.

The multi-agency team had traced the duo from Kitui town, where they were seen heading towards Machakos on a motorcycle to purchase a fresh supply of illegal narcotics.

On Thursday at about 1500 hours, the two suspects were spotted approaching a police barrier strategically mounted along the busy route.

Officers signalled for them to stop for a routine check, but they defied the directive and sped off, triggering a chase along the dusty road.

Realising that capture was imminent as the officers closed in, the pair made a frantic decision to abandon their motorcycle, still laden with the illegal consignment, and vanished on foot into the dense surrounding bush.

The motorcycle and the seized narcotics were immediately secured and transported to Kwa Vonza police station, before being transferred to Kitui Police Station for documentation.

Nacada’s Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Omerikwa, said the area where the suspects were heading is home to the South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU), strongly suggesting that the traffickers intended to target university students.

“The traffickers were clearly targeting higher learning institutions, putting our young people at risk. The Authority continues to conduct intelligence-led multi-agency operations to weed out criminals polluting learning environments, especially now that schools and institutions of higher learning are back in session,” he said in a statement.