A multi-agency security team has arrested three suspects in a pre-dawn raid in Langas, Eldoret, dismantling a narcotics operation accused of targeting school children and youth.
The NACADA-led operation recovered over 300 rolls of cannabis, a full stone of cannabis, assorted chewable tobacco products, and cannabis-laced cookies allegedly prepared for distribution to minors.
The operation was carried out by officers from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) working alongside the National Police Service, with support from the County Command.
Security teams stormed the suspects’ hideout in the early hours of the morning, acting on what authorities described as precise intelligence pointing to a network deliberately preying on learners and young people within the area.
NACADA Chief Executive Officer Anthony Omerikwa said the successful bust was part of intensified suppression efforts rolled out nationwide during the festive season.
“This operation is a clear marker of our sustained vigilance. We are acting on precise intelligence, and we will not relent in protecting our children,” he stated.
He revealed that intelligence gathered by NACADA had shown a troubling trend in how drug traffickers are adapting their tactics.
“Our reports indicate the traffickers we are nabbing have been deliberately and ruthlessly targeting school children and the youth,” Omerikwa said. “This is not just business for them; it is an attack on our nation’s future.”
The seizure of cannabis-laced cookies packaged for underage consumers raised alarm among authorities, who said such products are designed to mask the presence of drugs and make them more appealing to minors. Officials described the discovery as evidence of increasingly sophisticated methods used by drug networks to reach vulnerable groups.
Omerikwa issued a stern warning to drug dealers and those financing the illegal trade, saying law enforcement agencies will pursue them relentlessly.
“This is a direct message to the drug lords: your time is up. We are coming for you, your networks, and your profits. Your next destination is a jail cell, and we will ensure you face the full, unforgiving force of the law,” he declared.
The raid forms part of a broader nationwide crackdown dubbed Operation on Narcotics, which authorities say reflects the government’s zero-tolerance policy on drug trafficking and abuse. The operation has been intensified during the festive season, a period security agencies say is often exploited by criminal networks.
The three suspects arrested during the Langas raid are currently being held at Langas Police Station and are expected to be arraigned in court.
Authorities have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to security agencies. They reiterated that the ongoing crackdown will continue across the country to safeguard communities and protect children and youth from the dangers of drugs.
