Cash Safes Seized During Massive NACADA Drug & Liquor Bust

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) on Sunday, April 6, led a multi-agency task force that seized illegal goods worth over Ksh 2.9 million in Bondo Sub-County.

In a bold crackdown that sent shockwaves through Kenya’s illicit drug and alcohol trade, the task force acted on a tip-off and raided the home, business premises, and rental houses linked to a suspected drug kingpin in Nyamonye Market, uncovering a major stash of drugs and counterfeit liquor.

According to a press statement to newsrooms, the team found 4,600 sticks of suspected cannabis sativa, 11 brooms of unprocessed bhang (pending lab analysis) and eight cartons of cigarettes allegedly meant for Uganda & South Sudan.

An assortment of illegal drugs and alcohol seized during the NACADA operation on April 6, 2025. /NACADA

Also recovered were 118 cartons of spirits, 107 cartons of Simba Waragi, 12 cartons of Dry Gin and in a surprising fashion, four locked safes stuffed with cash believed to be proceeds from the illegal trade.

“This operation marks a significant victory in our relentless war against drug abuse and illegal alcohol trade,”  said NACADA CEO Dr. Anthony Omerikwa during a press briefing, adding, “We will not allow unscrupulous traders to destroy the lives of our youth.”

The primary suspect, Francis Odhiambo Ochieng, and an alleged accomplice, Everlyne Atieno Amungo, were arrested and are currently in custody at Bondo Police Station. Both are expected in court on Monday, April 7.

“This is just the beginning,” warned the NACADA CEO. “We are scaling up operations across the country to dismantle these criminal networks and safeguard our youth.”

This operation comes hot on the heels of a Ksh 8 million drug haul in Kisii County just last week, highlighting what appears to be a coordinated nationwide crackdown on the illegal drug and alcohol trade.

On April 3, NACADA raided a large-scale chang’aa brewing den in Mwaguto Village, Kisii South Sub-County and seized a staggering 55,000 litres of kangara and 500 litres of chang’aa.

The early morning operation resulted in the arrest of five suspects, three women and two men, as authorities dismantled what was described as a sophisticated illegal distillery. 

The brewing operation, spanning four acres, was equipped with storage facilities and advanced brewing equipment, signaling a well-organized network.