NAIROBI, Kenya — A police officer has been arrested after detectives recovered approximately 20 kilograms of suspected cannabis sativa during a raid on his residence in Dagoretti Sub-county, Nairobi.
The National Police Service (NPS) said the officer was arrested by colleagues from Muthangari Police Station following an intelligence-led operation prompted by information received from members of the public.
According to the NPS, officers acted on the tip-off and conducted a search at the suspect’s residence, where they recovered two bags containing suspected cannabis sativa weighing an estimated 20 kilograms.
The officer was immediately taken into custody and is being held pending processing and arraignment in court.
Police said the suspected narcotic drugs have been secured as exhibits as investigations continue.
In a statement, the NPS reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the law impartially, regardless of an individual’s rank or position.
“The National Police Service reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rule of law without fear or favour,” the statement said.
The Service emphasized that no officer or civilian would receive preferential treatment if found engaging in criminal activity.
“Any person, regardless of status or position, found to be engaging in criminal activities will be subjected to due process,” the NPS added.
The arrest forms part of ongoing anti-narcotics operations aimed at disrupting the trafficking, possession and distribution of illegal drugs across the country.
Police also credited members of the public for providing the intelligence that led to the operation, urging Kenyans to continue reporting suspected criminal activities through the nearest police station or the Service’s toll-free emergency numbers.
The latest arrest comes barely a week after police arrested eight suspects during an overnight anti-narcotics operation in Githurai 44, Kasarani Sub-county, where officers recovered approximately 250 kilograms of suspected cannabis sativa.
During that operation, detectives raided a residential property and seized cannabis alongside materials believed to have been used in the processing and packaging of the drugs, including 1,800 rolling papers, a 25-kilogram bag of white polythene packaging material, and a large metallic sieving mesh.
The eight suspects were subsequently taken into custody and later arraigned in court.