Four arrested in Mombasa after police seize Sh16.5m worth of bhang

Detectives at Bamburi's Fisheries Estate have arrested four individuals and seized over half a ton of cannabis sativa valued at approximately Sh16.5 million.

The suspects, Dorris Adika, her son David Omondi, niece Belinda Achieng, and 61-year-old storekeeper Rhoda Vonza were apprehended on Friday.

Police stated that the operation began with intelligence reports indicating that Adika was a significant player in the drug supply chain within the Coast region.

Detectives put her and her associates under surveillance, monitoring their activities closely. The breakthrough came when they received information that a substantial consignment of drugs was en route from Tanzania.

“The detectives who were precise in their investigations trailed the movement of the drug consignment that traversed through Migori and other several counties to its final destination transported in a white toyota piatana with a fake registration number KDA 176T which was also fitted with false compartments,” the police report read.

The detectives tracked the vehicle as it traversed through several counties, maintaining a low profile to avoid raising suspicion.

When the suspects arrived in Bamburi's Fisheries Estate, they were apprehended, and detectives recovered more than half a tonne of cannabis sativa that had recently arrived from Tanzania.

The street value of the confiscated drugs is estimated at Sh16.5 million.

A police spokesperson provided details of the operation, highlighting the precision and coordination involved. "This is a significant breakthrough in our ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking in the region," the police source said, adding, “We have been monitoring the suspect and her network for a while now, and this seizure is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our officers."

The operation is part of a broader crackdown on drug trafficking in the Coast region, following a series of similar raids in recent months. The government has intensified its efforts to dismantle drug networks, with a focus on major suppliers and traffickers.

The suspects will be arraigned at the Shanzu Law Courts, where they will face charges of drug trafficking.