Two Arrested in Separate Cannabis Interceptions in Kitui
The suspect, identified as Dickens Tito, was intercepted after officers became suspicious of a food parcel brought into the station.
Police in Kitui recovered 69 rolls of bhang and 33 matchsticks hidden beneath rice allegedly intended for a remandee. Photo; Capital FM.
By Robert Mutasi
Police have arrested two men in separate incidents involving suspected cannabis consignments in Kitui County, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has said.
In the first incident, a 24-year-old man was arrested at Kitui Police Station after allegedly attempting to smuggle cannabis into the facility hidden beneath rice intended for a remandee.
The suspect, identified as Dickens Tito, was intercepted after officers became suspicious of a food parcel brought into the station.
A subsequent inspection of the parcel reportedly uncovered 69 rolls of bhang and 33 matchsticks concealed inside the rice.
The DCI said alert officers examined the food before it could be taken beyond the station’s gates and discovered the suspected narcotics.
“Sharp-eyed officers on duty peeled back the rice to expose 69 rolls of bhang and 33 matchsticks hidden within a parcel of rice meant for the inmate,” the agency said.
Tito was arrested and taken into custody as investigations into the alleged attempt to introduce the narcotics into the police station continued.
In a separate incident, a multi-agency security team intercepted another suspected cannabis consignment during a routine roadblock operation along the Thika-Garissa Highway at Kanyonyoo.
Officers stopped a Public Service Vehicle travelling from Kitui to Embu and conducted a search of luggage in the vehicle.
During the inspection, officers reportedly discovered a pink briefcase in the rear boot of the vehicle. The DCI identified the alleged owner of the luggage as 29-year-old Justice Kabila Njanja.
According to the agency, the search of the briefcase led to the recovery of 13 bales of suspected cannabis sativa, which had allegedly been tightly wrapped in yellow sealing tape.
“Inside lay 13 bales of cannabis sativa, tightly wrapped in yellow sealing tape,” the DCI said.
Njanja was arrested at the scene and taken into custody as investigators commenced further inquiries into the suspected drug consignment.
The two incidents occurred separately but form part of ongoing police operations targeting the movement of narcotics within Kitui County.
The DCI said the recovered substances have been retained as exhibits as investigations continue.
Both suspects remain in police custody pending the completion of investigations and their expected arraignment in court.
The agency said it would continue working with other law-enforcement agencies to identify and disrupt networks involved in the trafficking and distribution of illegal drugs.
“The DCI remains steadfast in the fight against narcotics trafficking, working with other law-enforcement agencies to disrupt drug networks, seize illicit consignments and bring traffickers to justice,” the agency said.
The allegations against the two suspects have not been tested in court, and they remain innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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