Police detectives in Moyale Sub County recovered narcotics concealed in sacks of beans that were intended for an unknown destination. Acting on a tip-off from the public, the detectives responded to a report of a suspicious individual with four sacks of beans at a bus booking office.
Upon arrival, they found the sacks unattended at the entrance, with the owner allegedly seeking authorization papers from local KRA offices. To ascertain the contents, the officers utilized a police sniffer dog, which detected something suspicious inside the sacks.
The four sacks were then taken to DCI Moyale offices, where they were opened, revealing 22 bales of cannabis sativa valued at approximately Sh435,000. Efforts to apprehend the suspect, who remains at large, are ongoing, while the recovered narcotics are being held as evidence.
It was later discovered that the cargo was en route to Nairobi, marking the latest seizure in the region. Moyale, a prominent trading center, is notorious for contraband activities, including the smuggling of cannabis. Other border points utilized for smuggling include Sololo, Uran, Forolle, and Dukana. Dealers often use various methods, including peddlers and unofficial routes, to transport the narcotics, with Moyale accounting for a significant portion.
The narcotics are primarily transported to Nairobi via two routes: the direct Moyale-Nairobi highway via Marsabit and Isiolo, and an unofficial route through Sololo to Merti sub-county in Isiolo.
Law enforcement agencies are intensifying efforts to combat the trade, which sometimes involves armed smugglers. The consumption of narcotics is prevalent in urban areas, particularly Nairobi. Multi-agency teams are actively involved in dismantling drug cartels across the country, with many cases currently pending in court.
