NAKURU, Kenya- Police have recovered 241.5 kilogrammes of bhang valued at more than Sh7.2 million after a vehicle transporting the consignment crashed along the Nakuru–Nairobi Highway.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations said the Mazda CX-5 was involved in an accident between Shiners Boys and Mbaruk while travelling from Nakuru towards Nairobi.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the driver attempted to overtake another vehicle before losing control and colliding with an oncoming Scania trailer.
The impact caused the sport utility vehicle, registration number KDW 640U, to spin before stopping with extensive damage to its front section.
According to investigators, the driver escaped from the scene immediately after the crash, abandoning the damaged vehicle and its cargo.
Police officers from Nakuru Central Police Station responded to the accident and began processing the scene.
During a search of the vehicle, the officers discovered six sacks containing a substance suspected to be bhang.
The seized narcotics weighed 241.5 kilogrammes and were estimated to have a street value of Sh7,245,000, according to the DCI.
The drugs and the damaged vehicle were secured as exhibits as detectives began investigating the origin and intended destination of the consignment.
The National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau’s Nakuru office has taken over the investigation.
Detectives have also launched a manhunt for the driver, who remained at large following the accident.
Police did not immediately disclose whether the trailer’s driver or any other road users were injured in the collision.
The DCI said investigations would seek to identify the suspect and establish whether other people were involved in transporting or distributing the narcotics.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations remains steadfast in its commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and ensuring that those involved in the illicit narcotics trade are brought to justice,” the agency said.
The incident adds to recent drug seizures made along major Kenyan highways as security agencies intensify operations targeting the transportation and distribution of illegal narcotics.
