Mombasa anti-narcotics officers have arrested a man in an operation targeting drug trafficking along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.
During the interception, police recovered a quantity of cannabis sativa and foreign currency.
Acting on intelligence, officers stopped a Nissan matatu in the Jomvu area, where they carried out a search.
According to a statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) posted on X, the operation led to the discovery of three bags belonging to a 54-year-old male passenger.
The bags contained 40 sachets of cannabis sativa, Tanzanian currency amounting to Tsh5,035,000, and Sh4,960 in cash.
The suspect and the recovered items were taken to the Port Police Station for further investigation.
He is expected to face charges related to drug possession and trafficking.
The arrest comes amid intensified efforts by Kenyan authorities to disrupt the narcotics trade.
In late May, the DCI hosted a five-day anti-narcotics capacity-building workshop at the National Criminal Investigations Academy (NCIA). The event brought together investigators from across East Africa to explore strategies for tackling challenges such as synthetic drugs, psychoactive substances, and online drug trafficking.
The workshop also highlighted the growing problem of clandestine drug labs and the movement of chemical precursors across borders.
Kenya’s strategic location and transport infrastructure have made it vulnerable to international drug networks, with traffickers exploiting gaps in border and maritime security.
In a separate incident earlier this year, anti-narcotics officers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) seized a consignment of suspected amphetamines concealed in candles.
The shipment, originating from Bujumbura, Burundi, was destined for Australia.
The DCI said the latest arrest demonstrates the importance of regional cooperation and intelligence sharing in curbing the drug trade.
“We remain vigilant and committed to dismantling networks threatening regional security and public health,” the agency stated.
