The National Police Service (NPS) has confirmed the arrest of one individual and confiscation of narcotics during a targeted operation in Kakamega County, underlining growing nationwide efforts to curb the spread of illegal drugs.
The arrest occurred on Sunday, June 22, 2025, when officers from Matungu Police Station, conducting a routine patrol along the Matungu–Busia Road, intercepted a suspicious motor vehicle near Matungu Market.
Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered a brown briefcase containing two polythene-wrapped packages of a dry, leafy substance believed to be Cannabis sativa.
The individual, whose identity has not yet been released, was immediately taken into custody and remains at Matungu Police Station awaiting arraignment. The seized substances were booked as evidence and are being held at the same facility.
In a statement posted on X, the National Police Service (NPS) reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-led operations, saying this latest interception forms part of a broader crackdown aimed at dismantling criminal drug networks in Kenya.
“The National Police Service remains committed to combating drug trafficking and related crimes through intelligence-led operations and enhanced patrols,” read the NPS statement.
Broader pattern of drug raids
This latest bust is just one in a string of recent operations highlighting the scale of Kenya’s ongoing war on drugs. Earlier in June 2025, a man was arrested in Mombasa County’s Makaburini area with 80 rolls of suspected cannabis, two kitchen knives, and gas lighters.
The operation was a joint effort between Kongowea Police Station officers and National Government Administration Officers. It was conducted in a known drug den following tip-offs from the public.
The NPS hailed the cooperation between the public and law enforcement, noting that Mombasa and Kilifi counties remain high-risk areas for drug activity, especially cannabis and heroin.
Earlier, on June 1, 2025, officers from Rabuor Police Station in Kisumu raided a homestead in Alendu Village, recovering three sacks of cannabis. The operation, again driven by public intelligence, targeted the home of a suspect identified as John Ahanyo Nyadianga.
The drugs were found packed in rolls, ready for distribution. The police credited community cooperation for the successful bust and emphasised the importance of such collaborations in disrupting drug networks.
That same week, on May 30, 2025, in Makina Chini Village, Kwale County, six sacks of cannabis and 73 cannabis sticks were seized in another multi-room raid. Officers from Mackinnon Road Police Station acted on intelligence, reinforcing the trend of citizens actively helping police dismantle drug rings.
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a digital writer with over five years of experience. He graduated in February 2022 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from The Co-operative University of Kenya. He has written news and feature stories for platforms such as Construction Review Online, Sports Brief, Briefly News, and Criptonizando. In 2023, he completed a course in Digital Investigation Techniques with AFP. He joined K24 Digital in May 2025. For inquiries, he can be reached at [email protected].
