Police torch bhang worth Sh450,000 in Meru

Igembe North administration police have set ablaze bhang with an estimated street value of Ksh450,000 at Antubetwe Kiongo location in Igembe North sub-County, Meru County.

According to the sub-county administration police commander Isaac Kiragu, the consignment contained one kilogram of unprocessed bhang and seven hundred and fifty processed rolls.

The suspect, known as Sammy Kiria, had escaped arrest but was later involved in a road accident and died.

The sub-county administration police commander is now calling upon residents to work together with local authorities to curb drug trafficking.

Kiragu further issued a stern warning to those involved in such activities in the region that they would face dire consequences.

Recently, a 40-year-old man was charged in a Kapsabet court with transporting 1,500 stones of bhang.

The suspect, Samuel Ouko Ouma, was allegedly arrested ferrying over 500 kilograms of bhang worth Ksh1.4 million in a saloon car along the Chavakali-Kapsabet road.

There has been an intensive anti-drug campaign in recent months following a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta that has led to the arrest of several drug peddlers as well as the destruction of illicit brews.

In May 2015, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) said it had handed over a list of all suspected drug barons to the government.

NACADA chairman John Mututho said the list consisted of 1,000 people suspected of being involved in drug trafficking and illicit brew.