Detectives drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) have apprehended six persons of interest and seized marijuana whose street value is Ksh5.1 billion.
In a statement on Saturday, November 23, 2024, DCI announced that the marijuana recovered from the two operations weigh 170 kilograms.
According to DCI’s statement, the first incident involved crew members of a bus plying the Moyale—Isiolo Highway en route to Nairobi.
DCI noted that after intercepting the bus, four persons of interest were apprehended and marijuana weighing Ksh16.7 kilograms was found concealed.
“As the fight against use and trafficking of narcotics by anti-drug agents continues, over 170kg of Marijuana estimated at Sh5.1 million have been seized in two separate operations in Merti and Buruburu areas.
“In the incident at Merti along the Moyale – Isiolo highway, four crew members of a KDH 166M Scania bus were arrested, after 16.7kg of bhang was found concealed within the bus that was destined for Nairobi,” DCI’s statement read in part.
Hot chase
In the other incident, DCI noted that its detectives pursued the two persons of interest from Ngong before cornering them in Buruburu Estate, Nairobi.
However, they escaped and they were later traced to Athi River where they were apprehended.
The duo were riding in a Probox which was also impounded during the operation.
“In Buruburu area of Kamukunji, the Transnational Organized Crimes Unit detectives intercepted a Toyota Probox with over 155kg of the illicit herb, after a hot chase from Ngong.
“The two occupants – Samson Zimbwakale, 27, and Phesto Sigungu, 46 – managed to jump out of the vehicle and made a lucky escape to Athi River in Machakos County, but were later flushed out of their hideout at Cedar Court and taken to custody at Muthaiga Police Station,” DCI added.
Seizures in both security operations have been processed and secured, with the suspects staring at charges of possession and trafficking of narcotic drugs.