Police have arrested one suspect and recovered more than 282 kilogrammes of a substance suspected to be cannabis sativa after intercepting a vehicle allegedly transporting the illicit drug in Kisumu County.
The seizure followed an intelligence-led security operation conducted on Friday, October 30, targeting suspected drug trafficking activities in the area.
According to the National Police Service, officers intercepted the vehicle after receiving intelligence pointing to the suspected transportation of narcotics.
However, the driver allegedly defied police orders to stop and attempted to flee, triggering a pursuit that ended after officers deflated one of the vehicle's tyres, forcing it to come to a halt.
The driver reportedly managed to escape during the ensuing commotion, but police officers apprehended the passenger who was travelling in the vehicle.
A subsequent search uncovered several sacks containing a substance suspected to be cannabis sativa. The recovered consignment weighed 282.55 kilogrammes, raising concerns over the transportation and distribution of illicit drugs within the region and potentially beyond.
Police said the intended destination of the consignment had not yet been established, as investigations continue to determine where the suspected narcotics were being transported and the people linked to the operation.
The arrested suspect was taken into police custody alongside the recovered exhibits as detectives pursue leads to establish the circumstances surrounding the attempted transportation of the drugs.
Authorities have since launched efforts to trace and apprehend the driver who escaped during the interception, with investigations expected to establish whether other individuals were involved in the suspected drug trafficking network.
The latest seizure comes amid continued police operations targeting the trafficking, distribution and sale of prohibited substances across the country.
The National Police Service reiterated its commitment to disrupting illicit drug supply chains, saying its enforcement efforts would target individuals involved at every stage, from transportation to distribution.
The police also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police camp, post or station to support ongoing efforts to combat drug-related offences.
The arrested suspect is expected to face further legal processes as investigations into the seizure continue.
