Police have seized 243 rolls of bhang and recovered a motorcycle believed to have been used in drug trafficking during an anti-narcotics operation in Kisii South Sub-County.

The operation was conducted on Tuesday, January 14 in the Mwata area by officers from Kerina Police Station following intelligence reports pointing to suspected drug-related activities in the area. The exercise was led by the Officer Commanding Kerina Police Station as part of ongoing efforts by the National Police Service to disrupt the supply and distribution of illegal drugs.

During the operation, officers discovered the narcotics concealed inside a maize plantation, a method frequently used by traffickers to hide illegal substances and avoid detection by law enforcement agencies. The drugs were recovered before they could be distributed within the local market.

In addition to the bhang, police also recovered a red TVS motorcycle that is suspected to have been used to transport the narcotics within the area and possibly to neighbouring locations. Authorities believe motorcycles remain a preferred mode of transport for traffickers due to their ability to navigate rural terrain and evade road checks.

All the recovered exhibits have been seized and are being held at Kerina Police Station as investigations continue. Police say efforts are underway to identify and arrest suspects linked to the drugs and the recovered motorcycle.

“The exhibits were seized and are being held securely at the station. The suspect, however, managed to escape from the scene and is currently being pursued,” police added.

The operation is part of a broader and sustained crackdown on narcotics in Kisii County and other parts of the country. Authorities have raised concerns over the growing social, economic, and security impact of drug trafficking, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas where young people are increasingly exposed to illegal substances.

Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, the possession, trafficking, and cultivation of bhang are criminal offences that attract stiff penalties, including heavy fines and prison sentences.

In recent months, law enforcement agencies have intensified operations aimed at dismantling drug supply networks rather than focusing solely on low-level users. Security experts note that traffickers often exploit agricultural zones and remote settlements to store and distribute narcotics, making community cooperation critical in combating the trade.