Police Seize 500Kg Bhang Worth Ksh10M, Open Fire On Suspects

Police in Moyale between the border of Kenya and Ethiopia on Friday, August 4 inflicted a gunshot wound on a suspect who was arrested in an operation that saw 500 kilograms of bhang worth Ksh10 million seized.

According to a report by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspect was arrested in a stealth operation meant to stop the trafficking of narcotics in the region.

The police had acted on a tip-off regarding a trailer which was loaded with suspicious goods that was spotted at a thicket.

"The operation was launched after police received intelligence information that a lorry had been spotted at a thicket at Kate in Moyale while loaded with a suspicious consignment.

A consignment of bhang in bales recovered from a trailer in Moyale on August 4, 2023. /DCI

"Swinging into action, the law enforcers rushed to the location where a trailer loaded with 99 bales of the illicit drug estimated at a street value of Ksh10 million was intercepted and the cargo seized," the report read in part.

The operation also saw the officers arrest the trailer of the driver, however, it was disrupted by a confrontation between them and two suspected accomplices riding on a motorcycle who began shooting indiscriminately at the officers.

The wounded suspect was rushed to hospital for medical attention before being arraigned for drug trafficking-related charges.

"In self-defence, the officers retaliated forcing the assailants to flee. In the melee, the suspect sustained a gunshot wound in his abdomen and was rushed to Moyale Hospital for treatment.

"As he recuperates ahead of his arraignment for contravening anti-narcotic laws, the recoveries have been processed and secured as exhibits," added the DCI.

Using or selling cannabis (‘bhang’) is illegal in Kenya. Due to its geographic location, the trafficking of cannabis is hard to police, and as a result, there is a large domestic market for the substance. 

Bhang leads to various negative health outcomes, including addiction, impaired cognitive function, respiratory problems, and increased risk of mental illness.

Additionally, the illegal trade in Bhang contributes to organised crime and undermines the rule of law. Efforts to combat its abuse in Kenya have included law enforcement operations to disrupt drug trafficking networks, awareness campaigns to educate the public about the risks of drug abuse, and providing treatment services for individuals struggling with addiction.

However, the effectiveness of these efforts has been limited by factors such as corruption, inadequate resources, and social stigma.

On Friday, May 12, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) listed bhang as among the most abused drugs by young Kenyans living in Nairobi.

The Nairobi region had the highest prevalence of lifetime use of cannabis (9.7 per cent) while the Western region had the lowest (2.2 per cent).

"The results show a 4 per cent prevalence of lifetime use of cannabis. Males had a higher prevalence of lifetime use of cannabis (8.0%) compared to females (1.1%).

"The prevalence of lifetime use of cannabis was higher in the urban areas (7.8%) compared to the rural areas (2.4%)," stated NACADA's report.

NACADA further disclosed that Kenyans living in urban areas used cannabis the most, compared to rural areas, among young people, and was said to be smoked in social settings or to cope with stress or anxiety - one of its myths and misconceptions. 

Side-by-side image of a bhang plantation discovered in Eldoret on July 5, 2022. /NPS