Three suspects were apprehended in Subukia, Nakuru County, on Friday for smuggling marijuana disguised as animal feed, suspected to originate from Moyale or Ethiopia.
According to police reports, the drug trafficking syndicate has been testing the efficacy of anti-drug enforcement measures in the country.
During the operation, 45 bales of marijuana, totaling 138 kilograms, were discovered packed separately in two vehicles.
The interception occurred following a tip-off regarding a suspicious Nissan vehicle en route to Nakuru, intercepted in Subukia. Upon inspection, nine bales hidden under sacks of hay were found.
The driver led detectives to his two accomplices, found at a hotel in Nakuru city. Subsequently, two more suspects were apprehended, and 36 additional bales weighing 79 kilograms were seized from their vehicle.
The case has been transferred to the Rift Valley Regional Headquarters in Nakuru for legal proceedings.
Authorities noted that much of the narcotics originate from Ethiopia, packaged before distribution to markets in Nairobi and other major towns. Traffickers exploit the porous Kenya-Ethiopia border for illegal consignments.
Moyale, a border town in northern Kenya, serves as an entry point for large marijuana hauls from southern Ethiopia. From there, the drugs are transported to border points such as Sololo, Corolla, Uran, and Dukana.
Another route runs from Funannyata in Sololo, Marsabit County, to the Yamicha plains of Merti Subcounty in Isiolo. The consignments are then taken to urban areas like Eastleigh, Majengo, and Mlango Kubwa for repackaging and distribution.
In a joint operation on February 9, 2024, authorities initially discovered 28 bales concealed on the roof cabin of a lorry disguised as a mattress transport vehicle.
