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Isebania, Kenya (March 18, 2024) – A high-speed chase and dramatic standoff ensued during the day as Kenyan Police thwarted a bold attempt to smuggle a massive haul of marijuana into the country.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), two men, identified as Daniel Okoth and Erick Obima, were apprehended while attempting to transport approximately 300kg of cannabis, valued at around 9 million Kenyan shillings (approximately $70,000), across the border from a neighboring country.
The illicit cargo, stuffed into six gunny bags, was discovered in a Toyota Prado with registration plates KCL 532E. Okoth, the driver, was meant to smuggle the contraband through the Nyametaburo route before joining the Isebania-Migori highway at Mabera.
Confident of successful delivery, the trio, driving at high speed, approached the Karamu Bridge area, unaware that alerted officers from the Isebania Police Station had laid an ambush.
Upon encountering a police roadblock, the driver recklessly attempted to bypass the officers, nearly running over one of them in the process.
Police were forced to open fire to halt their mission, successfully apprehending Okoth and Obima.
However, one male managed to escape into the nearby thickets, prompting an ongoing pursuit by law enforcement.
The two suspects are currently in custody at the Isebania Police Station, facing charges related to drug trafficking and obstructing law enforcement officers in the line of duty.
The incident is one of criminal organizations to exploit the region’s porous borders for illicit drug trade. National Police Service have cautioned members of the public to refrain from engaging in any drug-related activities or trade to avoid confrontations with the law. Investigation continues to secure Kenya and borders from illicit trades.
