DCI Nabs Two Men With 900kg of Bhang in Nairobi Highway Bust
In a high-stakes, intelligence-led operation, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have seized a massive consignment of cannabis sativa weighing approximately 900 kilograms. The operation, carried out along the Maai Mahiu–Nairobi Road in Limuru, culminated in the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of nine large sacks of the illicit drug.
According to a police report released on Tuesday, the joint operation involved specialized officers from the Transnational Organized Crime and Anti-Narcotics Units, working in close coordination with personnel from the Mutarakwa Police Post under the Limuru sub-county jurisdiction.
The two suspects, identified as Minja Jimmy, 37, and his accomplice Bernard Nyabero Nyakangi, also 37, were intercepted while driving a white Toyota Noah bearing registration number KCX 728Q. The vehicle, described as appearing ordinary from the outside, had been ingeniously modified to conceal the hefty narcotics cargo under black polythene sheeting.
Upon thorough inspection by the officers, the hidden sacks—each filled to capacity with cannabis sativa—were uncovered. The total haul, spread across nine 90-kilogram bags, is among the largest roadside seizures reported in Kiambu County in recent months.
The suspects were immediately arrested and escorted to the Mutarakwa Police Post, where the illegal consignment and the vehicle were also booked in as exhibits. Authorities later transferred both the suspects and the seized materials to the DCI headquarters in Nairobi for comprehensive investigations and further legal action.
Preliminary reports suggest that the consignment was likely headed for distribution within Nairobi or intended for transshipment through the capital to other destinations. The use of a seemingly inconspicuous passenger vehicle is a growing tactic among narcotics traffickers attempting to bypass intensified highway checks and surveillance.
The DCI has lauded the success of the operation, emphasizing that the war on drugs continues to intensify under the multi-agency framework spearheaded by law enforcement and national security stakeholders. A DCI spokesperson, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case, confirmed that the suspects would face multiple charges, including trafficking and possession of narcotics with intent to distribute.
“This operation is a clear demonstration of what can be achieved through seamless collaboration and timely intelligence sharing. We will continue to hunt down all those involved in the drug trade and dismantle their supply chains,” the official stated.
Cannabis sativa remains a prohibited substance under Kenyan law, and offenders face severe penalties, including long prison terms. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act outlines punishment for those found guilty of trafficking, ranging from fines in the millions to life imprisonment, depending on the quantity and intent established by prosecutors.
As the suspects await arraignment, investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the narcotics, their intended destination, and whether a broader drug syndicate is involved. Authorities are also examining whether the suspects are repeat offenders or first-time traffickers drawn into the illegal drug trade.
The DCI continues to appeal to members of the public to share timely information on any suspicious activity involving drugs or organized crime through their toll-free tip lines and anonymous reporting systems.
