Kizingitini area police officer in charge of the station (OCS) Shadrack Mumo in Lamu East has been arrested over claims he released a drug peddler after he was given a Sh 50,000 bribe.
The incident has also seen two more police officers attached to the same station arrested together with the OCS.
All the three were arrested following allegations that a drug peddler identified as Swabri Asman may have given a hefty bribe in exchange for his unconditional release without being charged.
Confirming the arrest, Lamu County Police Commander Perminus Kioi said the drug dealer was released under controversial circumstances after his consignment of drugs that had been impounded disappeared mysteriously from the station.
“The drugs suspect may have been released together with an unknown amount of heroin and 25grams of bhang,” Kioi stated.
It is alleged that the officers at the police station demanded a Sh50, 000 bribe to cover up and release the drug consignment that had just been seized at the Mtangawanda Jetty in Lamu East on Sunday morning.
The drug consignment of bhang was seized on transit from Lamu Island to Siyu in Lamu East by police officers acting on a tip-off from members of the public.
Kioi said Swabri was cornered while taking the drugs to one Mohammed Liban and added police officers at the station failed to give a proper account of how the suspect and his drug haul disappeared from their custody.
“We will jeopardise our investigations if we release more information once we prefer charges on the suspects with regards to the case,” the county police commander stated.
The arrest comes just a few hours after Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i on Sunday ordered police to undertake a renewed crackdown on drug trafficking at the Coast.
Matiang’i also said the increased inflow of drugs was responsible for the rise of killer gangs terrorising the residents.
Lamu County Commissioner Simon Macharia also reiterated the government’s no tolerance to corruption position saying such officers will not be tolerated.
By Amenya Ochieng
