Suspect arrested, bhang seized in Machakos after tip-off

Some of cannabis sativa in carrier bags recovered during an operation in Machakos town / HANDOUT

A suspect has been arrested in Machakos town after police recovered a substance suspected to be cannabis sativa during an operation prompted by a public tip-off.

Police officers from the Machakos county headquarters said they acted on intelligence reports linking the suspect to suspected narcotics-related activities in the area.

During the operation, officers recovered the substance packed in a green sack and repackaged into 30 carrier bags.

A motorcycle believed to have been linked to the incident was also impounded.

Police said the recovered substance will undergo further analysis to confirm its exact nature.

The suspect was taken into custody and booked at Machakos Police Station ahead of his arraignment in court as investigations continue.

Authorities said detectives are seeking to establish the origin of the recovered substance and whether the suspect is linked to a wider drug trafficking network.

The National Police Service attributed the success of the operation to information shared by members of the public.

“The National Police Service commends members of the public for their continued cooperation through information sharing,” the service said in a statement.

Police urged residents to remain vigilant and continue reporting criminal activities through the nearest police station, emergency numbers 999 and 911, or the #FichuaKwaDCI toll-free line 0800 722 203 and WhatsApp number 0709 570 000.

The service reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying operations targeting narcotics-related crimes across the region.