A suspected drug peddler was taken into custody on Friday, August 1, 2025, during an intelligence-led operation by police officers from Kirwara Police Station in Gatanga Sub-County, Murang’a County.

The officers, acting on a tip-off, conducted a targeted swoop at Kirwara Shopping Centre, a known hotspot for the narcotics trade. The operation led to the arrest of a man suspected of being a well-known drug peddler in the area.

In a statement shared by the National Police Service (NPS) on Saturday, the officers reported recovering 63 rolls of bhang hidden in the suspect’s jacket.

“Police officers from Kirwara Police Station in Gatanga Sub-County, Murang’a County, conducted an intelligence-led operation on August 1, 2025, at Kirwara Shopping Centre, targeting narcotics peddlers.”

“During the operation, officers arrested one, a known drug peddler in the area. A swift search at the scene led to the recovery of 63 rolls of bhang concealed in the suspect’s jacket.”

The person was placed in custody pending processing and court arraignment.

Nationwide crackdown intensifies

This latest arrest comes just weeks after a string of similar operations across the country, reflecting growing concern over the spread of narcotics.

On July 1, police in Narok East Sub-County seized 600 brooms of bhang following a dramatic chase involving a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado suspected to be ferrying the drugs from Kisii to Nairobi. The suspects fled, but the vehicle and narcotics were secured.

In Kakamega, another suspect was arrested at Matungu Market after police intercepted a vehicle carrying two packages of cannabis wrapped in polythene and hidden in a briefcase. Similarly, in Nairobi, police arrested a 22-year-old man with four sacks of bhang following a tip-off from members of the public.

Law enforcement authorities, working closely with the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), have stepped up efforts to curb drug trafficking through coordinated surveillance, public cooperation, and targeted operations.

The National Police Service has urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity through the nearest police station or via the toll-free lines. They also encourage the use of the anonymous tip platforms.