Authorities have stopped a suspected drug trafficking attempt after intercepting a passenger bus traveling from Tanzania into Kenya, leading to the recovery of a large consignment of cannabis at the Namanga border point.
The operation was carried out by officers drawn from several government agencies working together to strengthen border security and stop illegal trade.
The bus, which was heading into Kenya from Tanzania, was stopped at the Namanga one-stop border post during what appeared to be a normal inspection.
Officers involved in the operation came from the Anti-Narcotic Unit, the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Kenya Wildlife Service, and the Police Dog Unit. Such joint checks are common at busy border points, especially for vehicles that cross international boundaries on a daily basis.During the inspection, trained sniffer dogs were brought in to examine the vehicle more closely.
The dogs reacted to a specific section of the bus, raising suspicion among the officers. A detailed search was then conducted, focusing on the area around the fuel chamber.
This search led to the discovery of four well-wrapped bundles hidden inside the bus.Upon opening the bundles, officers found 84 packets of cannabis with a total weight of 84 kilograms.
The drugs are estimated to have a street value of about Sh2.52 million. The concealment method suggested an attempt to avoid detection while crossing the border, using parts of the vehicle that are not easily accessible during casual checks.
The bus involved in the incident is registered in Tanzania and operates under the name Kidia One Express.
Following the recovery of the drugs, the driver and the conductor were arrested immediately. The driver was identified as 37-year-old George Ngoba, while the conductor is 25-year-old Trisha Lucas. Both are Tanzanian nationals.
The two suspects are currently being held in custody as police complete the necessary procedures before taking them to court. The bus and the recovered cannabis have also been detained and will be used as exhibits during the legal process.
Investigators are expected to look into whether the suspects were acting alone or as part of a wider network involved in cross-border drug trafficking.
Officials say the interception is part of ongoing efforts by the government to curb the movement of illegal drugs into the country.
Technology, and cooperation among different agencies, authorities aim to disrupt drug supply routes and bring those responsible to justice.
The government has repeatedly stated that drug trafficking poses a serious threat to public health and safety, especially to young people. Operations like this one are intended to reduce the availability of illegal drugs and protect communities from their harmful effects.
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