Security agencies have destroyed bhang worth Sh1.8 million in Makindu area, Makueni County.
The 1,870 sticks of bhang were set ablaze at the Makindu law courts last Thursday on orders of the Makindu Senior Resident Magistrate Jared Magori.
Makueni County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed who led the exercise said the bhang was seized last year in Kibwezi Town along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway while on transit to Mombasa from an unknown location.
Maalim said the driver of the vehicle that was used to transport the bhang identified as Boniface Odhiambo and another accomplice are still at large and police were looking for them.
“The driver and his accomplice managed to escape and we are appealing to residents to provide the police with information that could lead to their arrest,” said the County Commissioner.
He said the vehicle a Toyota Mark II registration number KAL 903 E will be forfeited to the State for public use.
The County Commissioner disclosed that 48,975 sticks of bhang valued at Sh17.3 million were intercepted by police along the highway last year and issued a stern warning to drug peddlers.
“We have six other vehicles that have been impounded transporting bhang, once the pending cases are concluded the vehicles will also be forfeited,” said Maalim.
He cautioned car owners against renting out their vehicles to unscrupulous people to transport narcotics and other contraband.
“People who give out their vehicles for hire should be very careful because once a vehicle is impounded for transporting drugs, it will be subjected to the same process,” added Maalim.
The County Commissioner attributed the rising cases of sexual and gender based violence in the county to bhang use and promised that the security apparatus in the county will redouble their efforts to put an end to the menace.
“We shall deal with anyone who attempts to frustrate efforts to fight narcotics use in the county,” he said.
By Roselyne Kavoo
