Police seize drugs and illicit alcohol in multi-county crackdown
By Emmanuel Rono, June 23, 2026The National Police Service (NPS) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on narcotics trafficking and the manufacture and distribution of illicit alcohol, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of illegal substances across several counties.
According to a police report on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, intelligence-led operations and routine patrols conducted over the past 24 hours in Kilifi, Busia, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga and Kiambu counties led to the arrest of several persons of interest and the recovery of cannabis and illicit brews.
Items recovered per counties
In Kilifi County, undercover officers from Mariakani Police Station arrested a suspected drug dealer during an operation in the Makaburini area of Mariakani Town, Kaloleni Sub-County.
The person of interest was found in possession of 13½ large rolls of cannabis sativa, commonly known as bhang.
“In Kilifi County’s Kaloleni Sub-County, undercover officers from Mariakani Police Station, acting on intelligence, intercepted a notorious drug peddler in the Makaburini area of Mariakani Town.
“The persons of interest was found in possession of thirteen-and-a-half large rolls of cannabis sativa (bhang),” NPS stated.
In Busia County, officers stationed at a roadblock in the Suo area intercepted a Nairobi-bound public service vehicle (PSV).
A search of the vehicle uncovered a black bag containing three packages of suspected cannabis wrapped in yellow cellophane tape.
One passenger was arrested in connection with the narcotics.
Meanwhile, in Nyandarua County, officers from Kinangop Police Station acted on information from members of the public and raided the Sende Moto area in Engineer Township.
During the operation, one was arrested and found with 54 rolls of cannabis sativa with an estimated street value of Ksh5,400. Police also recovered Ksh450 suspected to be proceeds from the illegal trade.
In Kirinyaga County, a joint operation involving officers from Kagumo Police Station and National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) dismantled an alleged drug distribution network in Kariko Village, Mutira South Location.
Three were arrested, while officers recovered 250 grams of unprocessed cannabis valued at approximately Ksh9,000 hidden in a nearby bush.
A motorcycle believed to have been used in the operation, was also impounded.
Elsewhere in Kiambu County, officers from Githunguri Police Station arrested one following a tip-off from members of the public.
The person of interest was intercepted at Githunguri main stage carrying a carton containing 11 clear nylon sachets of chang’aa, amounting to 11 litres of the illicit brew.
Police said all persons of interest and the recovered exhibits remain in custody pending further investigations and arraignment in court.
“All suspects and seized exhibits remain in police custody across the five counties, pending processing and arraignment in court. ”