An operation led by a multi-agency team comprised of National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and the security team has impounded cannabis sativa of unknown value in a residential premises in Mwamogesa village, Kitutu central ward, Kitutu Chache South constituency in Kisii County.
The activity which began Wednesday morning ended late in the afternoon as the team had to break into various houses where they nabbed the drug which was stashed in assorted sacks including those meant for National Cereals’ and Produce Board, used for packaging the subsidized 50 kg fertilizer.
Kisii County Police Commander Ronald Kirui said the success of the operation was prompted by a tip-off from a resident and confirmed that a manhunt would be launched for the main suspect if he failed to present himself to the nearest police station.
Kirui described the consignment of seven 50 kg bags and four and a half bags of 90 kg as large, saying the baron was well known in the region and may have been in the business for long.
He decried the negative impact of the drug on the local youths and assured the residents of an upscaled fight against drug addiction in the area.
The Commander confirmed that the police were holding some residents found in the residence to assist with investigations as they hunt for the person of interest.
NACADA Head of Enforcement Mr. Nicholas Kosgei applauded the residents for giving the leads resulting in the successful operation with the National Police Service and the National Government Administration Officials in the area.
He said NACADA aims to suppress supply of the narcotics and reduce demand and appealed to the community to give support by offering information.
Kosgei said youths have been mainly pointed out as the most affected by the abuse in the country.
He sent a stern warning to all traffickers including those selling prescription drugs to people without medical prescription noting that some ended up being abused.
This comes even as the Ministry of Health moved to fight drug abuse and addiction among the youth in the country.
A Senior Deputy Secretary in the Ministry Mawira Mungania was recently quoted during a three day stakeholders forum in Garissa saying there was need to shun all kinds of addiction as they were not only a health concern but a social concern too.
By Jane Naitore
