Police in Ainamoi sub-county last Thursday seized more than 810 kilogrammes of bhang with an estimated street value of Ksh4.9 million at Chemorir area along the Ainamoi-Kapsoit road.
Kericho County Police commander James Mugera said the consignment was impounded during an impromptu security operation after the driver of the car refused to stop when they were flagged down.
“Kericho police with the help of area village elders were carrying out normal patrols along the busy Ainamoi-Kapsoit road when they noticed a suspicious looking motor vehicle. They stopped it at Chemorir area but the driver and a passenger abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.
On conducting a search inside the car, nine bags each weighing 90 kilograms full of bhang in the form of brushes were found, added the police chief.
The vehicle registration number KAQ 831Z grey in color was towed to Kericho County police headquarters and a search for the owner from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) commenced.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the escaping driver and his passanger, added Mugera.
On February 12, this year Kericho police seized a bhang consignment of an estimated street value of Sh5.1 million from a Toyota Wish motor vehicle that was on transit from Migori for Nairobi along the Kericho –Kisumu highway.
Also on May 17, last year police in Kericho arrested four passengers and a driver after they recovered bhang of an estimated street value of Sh1 million in a pimped up PSV matatu destined for Molo, Nakuru at Ngoina road along the Kisii- Kericho highway.
Police say some of the bhang seized is regularly on transit from western Kenya destined for Nairobi.
By Sarah Njagi
