250 plants of bhang have been confiscated in Mlolongo, Machakos County.
Mlolongo assistant county commissioner Dennis Ongaga said the outlawed drug was among others that were netted during the ongoing Rapid Response Initiative crackdown on illicit brews and drugs in the division on Monday, May 22.
“Today’s raid was conducted in Kathangaita, Silanga Great Wall and Mlolongo market,” Ongaga said.
The administrator spoke to the Star at the scene shortly after the swoop.
He said the operations were conducted by a multi–agency that included Mlolongo OCS and his officers, the area chief and his assistants.
Members of the community policing also recovered 63 litres of chang’aa, six litres of busaa and eight rolls of bhang.
Ongaga, however, noted that no arrests were made during the raid despite destroying five chang’aa dens.
“No arrests were made during the crackdown. Exhibits have been kept safely awaiting arrests of suspects who escaped our dragnet,” Ongaga said.
He said the same team on May 16, conducted a raid on second-generation liquor illicit brews and narcotics at the Kapa area within the Syokimau location and seized 40 litres of chang’aa.
Seven bottles of counterfeit 250ml alcohol, 3 dozen of water bottles and assorted chang’aa selling apparatus were also seized.
Ongaga said 36 premises were inspected. They included bars, wines and spirits joints, all unlicensed.
He said three people were arrested during the swoop and arraigned at Mavoko Law Courts on May 17.
The RRI crackdown was officially launched in the Athi River subcounty by the area deputy county commissioner Charles Wambugu on May 15.
Wambugu warned liquor traders dealing in wines and spirits businesses within the subcounty against converting their shops into bars.
Wambugu said some of the traders had tendencies to unlawfully convert their operation licences into bars.
“Converting wines and spirits premises into bars is against the public health provisions. When you have been licenced to sell wines and spirits for takeaway, you are just supposed to do that,” Wambugu said.
The administrator led the multi–agency subcounty team that conducted a swoop in eleven premises within Mlolongo and Mavoko divisions.
The six hours raid was conducted in liquor depots, distillers and retailers.
He said they had mobilised and activated their wards and divisional multi–agency teams in all four divisions in the subcounty.
The divisions include Mavoko, Mlolongo, Kinanie and Lukenya.
Wambugu said one of the team’s roles was to remind the public alongside those trading in liquor on the importance of complying with regulations and frameworks.
“We want people to continue doing business, but let’s adhere to the liquor licencing conditions and timelines. If you are supposed to open your premises at 5 pm, do that and close at the right time,” Wambugu said.
He warned that those traders who fail to comply with stipulated laws will have their operational licences revoked and businesses closed.
