Police Seize 26 Sacks Of Bhang Worth Ksh6 Million During Church Raid
The seizure came after angry members of the public had trailed a stolen goat that led them to African B Church, where they ambushed the suspects who were preparing to cook the slaughtered goat.
Marvin Chege 
Police officers have seized 26 bags of bhang worth Ksh6 million, suspected stolen electronics and a slaughtered goat from a church in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County.
The seizure came after angry members of the public had trailed a stolen goat that led them to African B Church, where they ambushed the suspects who were preparing to cook the slaughtered goat.
A violent scuffle is said to have ensued between the residents and some of the church’s ‘congregants’. After subduing the ‘worshippers’, the mob attempted to bring down the semi-permanent church but was restrained by police officers who arrived in time.
A consignment of cannabis sativa seized on October 25, 2023, before being set on fire in Marsabit County. /DCI
Kajiado North Deputy County Commissioner James Taari told the media that they managed to recover 26 bags of bhang, each containing 40 ‘stones’ with an estimated street value of Ksh6 million.
Other suspected stolen electronics were recovered from the scene as the slaughtered goat was reportedly identified by its owner. Two male suspects were arrested during the raid after their ringleader and other accomplices escaped a police dragnet.
“This is a major breakthrough, this is not a church but a den of criminals, we will consider the church management as persons of interest, we suspect they have been selling bhang to youths in this area,” Taari revealed, pleading the residents to be vigilant and report criminal activities in their area.
“I am told that the residents are afraid to report the criminal activities for fear of reprisals from the criminals, let us not be intimidated, some of these criminals thrive on intimidation, and we must work as a team to corner them."
Police further noted that the church had been selling bhang to its congregants, further suspecting that the congregants were drug addicts disguised as the flock.
"We know that these suspects work in cahoots with residents, but we applaud concerned public members who raised the alarm. We will liaise with them to track the church attendees who are well-known in the society," a lead detective revealed.
In a related incident, police are still looking for the occupants of a black Toyota Land Cruiser Prado which was involved in an accident while transporting a consignment of bhang in Kilifi County.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) report on Monday, September 4, the bhang weighing 316 kilograms estimated at a street value of Ksh9.5 million was seized by the officers.
The car which was used to transport the drugs landed in a ditch in a self-involved accident with its occupants escaping the accident scene to avoid arrest.
Upon search, registration plates KBQ 580K, KBZ 528N, KDA 639A & KDC 947C were found, with the latter linked to those used on parastatal vehicles.
"The seizure comes at a time when police countrywide have heightened the fight against drug abuse, trafficking in narcotics and sale & consumption of illicit brews.
"Meanwhile, the recovery has been secured as an exhibit and the vehicle detained, as the search for the perpetrators commences," added the DCI.
