Machakos County Security Intelligence Committee (CSIC) have confiscated 200kg of bhang worth Ksh 6.9 million that was being transported from Migori to Mbooni through Machakos. 

The intelligence and patrol officers intercepted a Toyota Wish vehicle transporting two sacks of bhang in Machakos Town at midnight and arrested the driver who was also found with six different vehicle number plates.

Machakos County Commissioner Josephine Ouko who is also the Chair of the County security committee while speaking to the media at the Police commander’s grounds, said that the driver of the vehicle has been arrested and is waiting for his arraignment in court.

“The bhang that was confiscated has a street value of Ksh 6.9 million and our officers managed to arrest one person who was the driver of the vehicle who was also carrying six number plates. He is being held at the Machakos police station awaiting his arraignment tomorrow in court,” said Ouko.

She assured residents they will improve their security checks and called on traffic police to be on high alert and continuously check on the highly tinted cars that could be ferrying illicit substances to Machakos.

“We shall put sniffer dogs on Machakos roads to curb the transportation and ferrying of illicit substances to Machakos which is affecting our children and the community,” said the CC.

Ouko also urged car owners doing car hire business to ensure their clients have proper documentation, put a tracker on the car and report to the Police Commander in the event the client changes the intended destination.

County Police Commander Patrick Lobolia added that they suspect the bhang, which has been ground to powder, could be from Tanzania and that the six number plates could be from stolen vehicles and they intend to do a search through NTSA and call the owners of the number plates to confirm.

He said they received a tip off from reliable sources and they began following the vehicle from Mlolongo en-route to Mbooni and intercepted it in Machakos town.

The County Police boss said they have amped all their security teams in Machakos and are keeping tabs on the transportation of bhang and other illegal substances as they continue with the investigations. By Muraya Kamunde, KBC