Police arrest drug peddler in Machakos
By Kenneth Mwenda, June 21, 2026Police in Machakos County arrested a cannabis dealer after an intelligence-led operation in Mitaboni Market, in what authorities say is part of a wider crackdown on drug trafficking across the country.
The National Police Service said officers acted on information from members of the public before carrying out surveillance and a targeted raid on Sunday, June 21, 2026.
According to a statement posted on its official X account, the officers moved in after confirming reports that the person of interest was actively supplying cannabis to residents in the area. They added that the operation involved a multi-agency team that tracked the suspect for some time before making the arrest.
“Acting on credible information from members of the public, a multi-agency team yesterday conducted an intelligence-led operation targeting a suspected cannabis peddler in Mitaboni Market, Machakos County,” the statement said.
Police said they mounted surveillance in the area after receiving reports that a known individual had been distributing cannabis sativa to local users. Officers later moved in and arrested the person of interest at his residence.
“The team mounted surveillance after reports that a well-known individual had been supplying cannabis to local residents. They successfully ambushed the suspect at his residence while he was preparing the illicit substance for distribution,” the statement added.
A search of the house led to the recovery of 1,180 rolls of cannabis and about 700 grams of loose cannabis sativa, according to police.
Police said the suspect was taken into custody and is awaiting arraignment in court as investigations continue.
The National Police Service said the arrest reflects ongoing cooperation between law enforcement and members of the public in fighting drug-related crime in local communities.
“The operation highlights the importance of continued collaboration between the National Police Service and the public in combating drug peddling,” the statement said.
The arrest in Mitaboni comes at a time when security agencies have intensified operations against narcotics across several counties.
National drug crackdown intensifies
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has recently reported similar operations in Mombasa, Kitengela, Busia, Nairobi and Bomet, where officers have seized large quantities of cannabis sativa and arrested multiple suspects linked to trafficking networks.
In one recent operation reported on June 20, 2026, police intercepted cannabis consignments in Mombasa, Kitengela and Busia. Officers recovered sacks of cannabis and arrested five suspects believed to be connected to distribution networks.
In that case, the DCI said officers acted on intelligence before stopping vehicles and raiding suspected distribution points.
“The net is tightening around narcotics traffickers,” the DCI said, adding that the seizures formed part of coordinated national operations targeting drug supply chains.
In Nairobi, detectives also arrested a linked to bhang trafficking along Waiyaki Way, recovering cannabis valued at about Ksh870,000.
Police said intelligence-led operations remain central to their strategy as traffickers continue to shift routes and methods.
Security officers in Machakos said the Mitaboni arrest fits into the same pattern of targeted enforcement, where information from the public plays a key role in identifying suspects.
Law enforcement agencies have warned that they will continue to step up surveillance in towns and trading centres used as distribution points for narcotics.