Midnight Bust in Mombasa: Six Arrested as Police Seize Sh72 Million Bhang Haul
In a dramatic late-night operation along the busy Mombasa-Nairobi highway, detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) staged a major breakthrough in Kenya’s ongoing war against drug trafficking. Acting on well-coordinated intelligence, officers intercepted a truck ferrying a massive consignment of bhang valued at approximately Sh72 million, leading to the arrest of six suspected traffickers and the disruption of what authorities believe is a major distribution network.
The targeted truck, a KDT 659G, was flagged down before its illicit cargo could be dispatched into the coastal city’s drug market. A detailed inspection revealed 50 sacks packed with long rolls of bhang, all neatly wrapped in khaki paper. The haul weighed an astonishing 2,400 kilograms, marking one of the region’s biggest drug seizures this year.
The truck driver, Nolden Ogola Misieba, and his co-driver, Andrew Kaida, were arrested immediately as detectives swiftly secured the cargo and began pursuing other suspects linked to the shipment.
Their quick response paid off. Hot on the trail, ANU detectives intercepted three additional vehicles believed to be part of the trafficking chain. These vehicles, authorities say, were strategically positioned and waiting to receive and redistribute the narcotics across Mombasa County.
The vehicles included:
- KCL 458S, a Toyota Noah driven by Jefferson Kamau with his accomplice Lawrence Onyango
- KCZ 567R, a Nissan Note driven by John Lutomia
- KDQ 867K, a Toyota Vitz driven by Samuel Juma Okoth
Subsequent investigations indicate that the three vehicles were intended to be loaded with the intercepted bhang before being dispatched into various distribution points within Mombasa and its surrounding areas. By dismantling this network, detectives believe they have prevented thousands of rolls of the prohibited drug from reaching unsuspecting youth and fueling the region’s drug dependency crisis.
All six suspects are currently in custody, undergoing interrogation and processing. Meanwhile, the seized narcotics and vehicles have been detained as critical exhibits in the case, which investigators say will likely lead to more arrests as the probe expands.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has reaffirmed its commitment to combating the drug menace that continues to plague various parts of the country. The agency praised members of the public who continue to provide crucial tip-offs, describing them as essential partners in keeping communities safe.
The DCI continues to encourage Kenyans to report suspicious drug activities anonymously through the #FichuaKwaDCI hotline at 0800 722 203 or via WhatsApp at 0709 570 000.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities remain optimistic that this major bust marks yet another step toward dismantling organized drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond the coastal region.
