Police intercept bhang worth Sh10.5 million, arrest two suspects

The suspects Robert Ndwiga Njiru and Francis Muriithi. [Courtesy, DCI]

Police have arrested two people and intercepted 67 bales of bhang at Makutano town along the Mwea - Embu highway in Kirinyaga County.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Anti-narcotic unit said the two suspects were found transporting the bhang which has been valued at over Sh10.5 million.

According to DCI, Robert Ndwiga Njiru and Francis Muriithi were arrested separately after being trailed from Moyale in Marsabit County.

The officers were forced to block part of the busy highway to intercept vehicles driven by the two ferrying the drugs.

Njiru was arrested in Kimbimbi and his car had 30 bags, while Muriithi was stopped and arrested near the Makutano junction and his car was found with 37 bags.

One of the officers who sought anonymity due to the sensitivity of the operation said the two and their two vehicles would be taken back to Nairobi for further questioning.

According to DCI, the traffickers in the region have moved from transporting the drugs using lorries due to detection and have now opted for smaller vehicles which rarely raise suspicion.

This comes a month after police arrested two men transporting 132 bales of bhang on a truck along the Garissa-Thika Road in Mwingi.

In the February 9, 2024 operation, 28 bales were found stashed on the roof cabin of the lorry that ferried mattresses.

A further search revealed that the vehicle had a false bottom reinforced with strong bolts and rails where another 104 bales were discovered.