KITALE, Kenya — Officers from the National Police Service (NPS) have intercepted 181 kilograms of suspected narcotics during an anti-drug operation along the Webuye–Kitale Highway, authorities confirmed Monday.
According to police, officers flagged down a suspicious vehicle during routine patrols targeting drug trafficking networks. The driver, however, ignored orders to stop and sped away, triggering a high-speed pursuit.
The chase ended at Malaha Junction, where the vehicle developed mechanical problems. The driver abandoned the car and fled on foot.
“A thorough search of the vehicle revealed that it was transporting substances suspected to be bhang, carefully packed in multiple bales,” NPS said in a statement.
Police recovered 46 bales of suspected narcotics, weighing a combined total of 181 kilograms.
Authorities believe the consignment was being transported as part of a wider distribution network operating across western Kenya.
The suspect managed to evade arrest during the operation, and police have launched a manhunt.
The vehicle used to transport the drugs was towed to Webuye Police Station, where it is being held as an exhibit as investigations continue.
Security agencies said the seizure forms part of broader efforts to disrupt the trafficking and distribution of illegal drugs across the country.
Kenyan authorities have intensified operations targeting drug networks along major transport corridors, which are often used to move narcotics between regions.
Police said investigations are ongoing to identify the driver and determine the origin and intended destination of the seized drugs.
The National Police Service reiterated its commitment to combating organised drug trafficking, warning that individuals involved in the trade would face the full force of the law.
