A man was arrested and a substantial quantity of cannabis recovered during a police operation in Kiambu County on Thursday, May 29, 2025. The crackdown, conducted in the Gacharage area of Kiambaa Sub-County, was initiated by officers from Ruaka Police Post following a public tip-off.
During the operation, police seized approximately 2 kilograms of unprocessed cannabis (bhang) along with 43 rolls of the drug from the suspect. The individual was taken into custody and is expected to be arraigned in court on Friday, May 30.
The successful operation was credited to the collaboration between the police and members of the public, who provided crucial information that led to the suspect’s apprehension. Authorities lauded the community’s support and encouraged continued vigilance, urging the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or through emergency hotlines.
This latest incident forms part of a broader anti-narcotics campaign that has intensified in recent weeks across various counties. Just two days prior, a separate operation in Machakos County resulted in the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of a large consignment of bhang.
In that operation, police recovered 250 kilograms of cannabis concealed in 10 gunny bags. The suspects had been travelling in a black Toyota Noah when they were intercepted in Kitanga village by anti-narcotics officers acting on a tip-off. Prior to their arrest, the two had narrowly escaped a police roadblock at the Lari flyover in Kiambu County earlier in the day.
Officers from the Anti-Narcotics Unit had been monitoring the suspects’ movements after receiving intelligence suggesting a major consignment of narcotics was in transit. A trap was set, resulting in the vehicle being stopped and searched. No weapons were found, but upon inspection, the cannabis—estimated to be worth Ksh7.5 million—was discovered hidden inside the van.
The suspects, identified as Samuel Baraza and Lawrence Onyango Asindi, are currently being held as investigations continue. The recovered bhang has been moved to DCI Headquarters for further analysis and processing.
Law enforcement agencies have reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling narcotics distribution networks across the country. The increased frequency of successful drug seizures suggests a more aggressive stance being adopted by security agencies, driven in large part by improved collaboration with the public and better intelligence sharing.
Authorities emphasize that community involvement remains a critical pillar in the fight against drug trafficking. By encouraging residents to report suspicious activities, law enforcement hopes to strengthen its capacity to combat the distribution and consumption of illegal substances, particularly in vulnerable regions.
With both incidents occurring within days of each other and in neighboring counties, police have not ruled out the possibility of an interconnected network or larger syndicate being involved. Further investigations are ongoing to determine any links between the cases.
As part of the ongoing campaign, the public is reminded to utilize established reporting channels, including toll-free hotlines, to share any relevant information that could help disrupt the illegal drug trade. The efforts are seen as crucial steps toward maintaining public safety and curbing the influence of narcotics in communities.
