Kenyan security officers have arrested two Tanzanian nationals after discovering a large consignment of bhang worth more than KSh2.5 million hidden inside a bus travelling from Tanzania to Kenya.
The arrest happened at the Namanga One-Stop Border Post, a busy crossing point between the two countries.
According to police, the bus was intercepted during a routine security operation as it entered Kenya from Tanzania.
The vehicle, which belongs to Kidia One Express, was heading to Kenya with passengers when officers decided to conduct a thorough inspection. During the search, sniffer dogs detected suspicious luggage concealed inside the bus.
Upon further inspection, officers uncovered 84 tightly wrapped packets of bhang, weighing approximately 84 kilograms. Authorities estimated the street value of the illegal drugs at KSh2.52 million.
The drugs were hidden in a way that suggested careful planning, raising concerns about organized cross-border drug trafficking.
The two suspects arrested are the bus driver, identified as George Ngoba, aged 37, and the conductor, Trisha Lucas, aged 25. Both are Tanzanian citizens. Police believe the two were directly involved in transporting the illegal drugs across the border.
Following the arrest, the suspects were taken into police custody where they are being held as investigations continue. The bus and the seized bhang were also confiscated and will be used as evidence in court.
PAuthorities confirmed that the suspects are expected to be arraigned in court to face drug trafficking charges under Kenyan law.
Police officials said the operation was carried out by a multi-agency security team, including officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), border security personnel, and customs officials. The use of trained sniffer dogs played a key role in detecting the drugs.
Security agencies described the arrest as part of ongoing efforts to fight cross-border drug trafficking, which has become a major concern in the region. Criminal networks are increasingly using public transport vehicles to move illegal drugs, hoping to avoid detection by blending in with regular passengers.
Authorities warned that drug trafficking poses serious risks to society, especially to young people, and contributes to crime and insecurity.
They emphasized that Kenya will continue strengthening border surveillance and intelligence-led operations to disrupt drug networks operating across East Africa.
In recent months, police have intercepted several large bhang consignments in different parts of the country, including major highways and border towns.
These operations show a growing commitment by law enforcement agencies to clamp down on narcotics trade and protect communities from the harmful effects of drugs.
Kenyan officials also called for stronger cooperation between neighboring countries to address drug smuggling. They noted that cross-border crimes can only be defeated through joint security efforts, information sharing, and strict enforcement of the law.
Members of the public were urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities. Police stressed that public cooperation is essential in the fight against drugs and other forms of organized crime.
As investigations continue, security agencies believe the arrest will help uncover more information about the drug trafficking network behind the shipment. Further arrests may follow as police track down other suspects connected to the illegal consignment.
The case highlights the continued challenge of drug trafficking in the region and the importance of strong border controls to keep illegal substances out of the country.
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