Police Impound Hearse Carrying 12 Sacks Of Marijuana

A consignment of 12 sacks of marijuana was intercepted on Sunday night, August 27 by police, as it was being transported to the port city of Kisumu in a hearse. 

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) revealed in a statement on Monday, August 28 that the bizarre incident stunned police officers manning a roadblock at Suo in Busia County.

DCI revealed that the product had been neatly arranged in the vehicle that is ordinarily used in the conveyance of the dead to the grave. 

Sacks containing marijuana seized by police officers on August 27, 2023. /DCI

According to the officers, they had flagged down a white Nissan van branded Rafiki Funeral Services-Othaya, for a routine check-up at around 7 p.m.

"The heavily tinted vehicle whose stereo was playing sombre tunes associated with escorting the departed, pulled over. 

"As the vehicle’s driver hesitantly lowered his window and muttered some words after responding to the officer’s greetings, the policeman detected some smell from inside the vehicle that was not related to human remains," stated the DCI in part.

His fears were confirmed moments later when after conducting a search inside the vehicle together with his colleagues, they discovered 12 sacks of cannabis sativa arranged on the seats and floor of the van. 

The driver of the hearse, Hussein Otita, was arrested and the motor vehicle registration number KCV 402Y was impounded. 

In a related incident, officers based at Korondile police station in Wajir recovered 58 kilograms of marijuana being transported to Wajir town on a motorcycle. 

"In the incident reported last night, two suspects Osman Boru, 25 and Halkno Guchu, 24 were arrested and detained at Korondile police station pending arraignment. 

"Detectives from the Anti Narcotics Unit, have since taken over investigations into the two cases," added the DCI.

The investigative agency has been stepping up its war on drugs through sting operations to nab suspected drug traffickers to rid the country of the vice for good.

To complement DCI's efforts, the United States (US), through the US Africa Command donated four Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles to the agency, customized for anti-drug operations.

The cars are among some of the most powerful vehicles with a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine allowing motorists to accelerate in moments such as car chases.

US government donates 4 vehicles to DCI on August 23, 2023. /DCI