Police in Ndhiwa constituency have arrested a 30-year-old man for allegedly smuggling three bags of bhang.
Charles Ouma, who is a resident of Nyatike constituency in the neighbouring Migori county, was arrested near Ongeng’ trading center in Ndhiwa on Saturday.
He was ferrying the bhang worth Sh300,000 on a motorbike from Nyatike to Rodi Kopany township in Homa Bay.
The suspect was arrested when he dashed into a bush after seeing police officers who were patrolling in the area.
According to Ndhiwa Directorate of Criminal Investigations Officer Paul Makonge, the suspect attempted to abandon the narcotic in the bush so that he could disappear using a motorbike but the police officers thwarted his efforts.
“He had already cut the rubber band to make it easier to escape on the motorbike but we got hold of him,” Makonge said.
The suspect was taken to Ndhiwa police station.
Makonge said the suspect was in company of another motorcyclist who was clearing the way for him.
“The other rider was riding ahead of the suspect to clear the way by tipping him of any danger. He didn’t notice us because our vehicle was not coloured with the colour of the Kenya Police Service. This enabled us to meet the suspect,” Makonge said.
Makonge said they were still looking for the rider who was helping him after he disappeared.
The police boss said they had discovered a tendency by some locals to use Sori- Rodi - Kopany road in smuggling bhang.
“We have established surveillance team to stop peddling narcotics along this road. We cannot allow them take bhang from another Sub county and smuggle it using our roads,” he added.
The suspect will appear in court on Monday.
