Bandits escorting bhang in Isiolo have shot and injured a police officer in a clash.
The incident happened between Yamicha and Matasadeni in Merti.
Police said the bandits were escorting illegal immigrants and vehicles ferrying bhang valued at Sh1.5 million, police said.
Isiolo police commander Hassan Barua said the bandits had three vehicles and over 10 motorbikes carrying the immigrants that tried to make a U-turn as others engaged police in a shoot-out.
The officers successfully deflated the vehicle's tyres after which 11 parcels of bhang were recovered.
The immigrants and the bandits managed to escape. It was then that the officer was injured.
The Land Rover vehicle and the motorbike were taken to Merti police station.
The injured officer was treated at Merti Subcounty hospital and discharged.
Barua said they have increased patrols to address the menace.
"We have doubled the number of officers manning the area and we want to tell the bandits that their business must collapse,” he said and vowed to get those involved.
The route is notorious for bringing in bhang. The traffickers also use the Garissa route to traffic narcotics and immigrants.
Police have in the past seized several kilos of narcotics and stopped the smugglers from their businesses.
