NAIROBI, Kenya — Four suspects have been arrested and large quantities of illicit alcohol and narcotics recovered during coordinated security operations in Nairobi’s Central Business District as authorities intensify the fight against illegal brews and drug trafficking.
The National Police Service (NPS) said the operations, conducted on June 15, form part of an ongoing nationwide campaign targeting the manufacture, distribution, and sale of illicit alcohol, second-generation liquor, and narcotic substances.
According to the police, officers first raided the Meru Ndogo area at about 5:00 p.m., where they arrested one suspect and recovered two boxes of second-generation liquor alongside 270 litres of kangara, an illicit alcoholic brew commonly associated with unregulated production networks.
The operation later shifted to a building along Old Kirinyaga Road following intelligence reports from members of the public. During the raid, officers arrested three additional suspects and seized a significant quantity of suspected cannabis.
Police reported recovering 500 rolls of suspected cannabis sativa, commonly known as bhang, packed in five bundles. Officers also seized ten bags of unprocessed cannabis and three digital weighing scales believed to have been used in the packaging and distribution of the narcotic.
All four suspects have been placed in police custody and are expected to be arraigned in court to face charges related to the possession, manufacture, and distribution of illicit substances.
The National Police Service commended the officers involved in the operation, describing the arrests as a major step in ongoing efforts to curb the circulation of dangerous and unregulated products within the capital.
The service also acknowledged the role played by members of the public in providing actionable intelligence that led to the successful raids.
Authorities have maintained that illicit alcohol and narcotics remain a major public safety concern, contributing to health complications, addiction, crime, and economic hardship in communities across the country.
The latest operation comes amid intensified government efforts to dismantle networks involved in the production and sale of illegal brews, which have previously been linked to fatalities and mass poisoning incidents in several regions.
Police said enhanced enforcement operations will continue across Nairobi and other parts of the country as part of broader efforts to protect public health and improve community safety.
The National Police Service urged citizens to remain vigilant and report information relating to illicit alcohol, narcotics and other criminal activities through the nearest police station, emergency numbers 999 and 911, the toll-free #FichuaKwaDCI hotline 0800 722 203, or the WhatsApp reporting line 0709 570 000.
Authorities say community cooperation remains critical in disrupting illegal supply chains and reducing the availability of dangerous substances in Kenyan communities.