A multi-agency security team intercepted a Kenya-bound bus from Tanzania at the Namanga one-stop border post, recovering 84 kilograms of cannabis valued at Sh2.52 million hidden in the vehicle’s fuel chamber.
The driver and conductor, both Tanzanian nationals, were arrested after sniffer dogs from the Police Dog Unit detected the concealed narcotics during what the crew believed was a “routine roadside check.”
The operation, carried out by officers drawn from the Anti-Narcotic Unit (ANU), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Police Dog Unit, brought the cross-border drug run to an abrupt halt.
The bus, registration number T372 DWL and operated by Kidia One Express, was flagged down at the border post before the trained dogs were deployed.
According to the statement by the Director of Criminal Investigations, the sniffer dogs quickly went to work and “homed in on suspicious packages hidden at the bus’s fuel chamber.” Officers recovered four tightly wrapped bundles containing 84 packets of cannabis, weighing a total of 84 kilograms.
The suspects were identified as the driver, 37-year-old George Ngoba, and his 25-year-old conductor, Trisha Lucas. Both were arrested on the spot and are “currently in custody, undergoing processing pending arraignment.” Authorities also detained the bus and the recovered narcotics as exhibits.
Investigators said the seizure underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and coordinated enforcement at key entry points.
“This interception highlights the Government’s commitment to combating narcotics trafficking through strong enforcement, intelligence-led operations, and multi-agency collaboration,” the statement said, adding that such efforts are aimed at disrupting drug networks, prosecuting traffickers and protecting communities from the harmful effects of illicit drugs.
Members of the public were urged to support the fight against narcotics by sharing information anonymously through the #FichuaKwaDCI hotline on 0800 722 203 (toll-free) or via WhatsApp on 0709 570 000.
