Multi-agency team destroys over five tonnes of marijuana

Nyandarua, Friday June 23, 2023

KNA by Antony Mwangi

A multi-agency security team from Ndaragwa Sub-county led by Ndaragwa Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Walter Ngaira has uprooted and burnt over five tonnes of marijuana.

The multi-agency team comprised the Sub County Police Commander Mr. Richard Moso, Nyandarua Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Warden Mr. Paul Wambugu, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) officers from Ndaragwa and Shamata and was accompanied by National Government Administration Officer (NGAO) team.

The illegal plant had been growing inside the Ndaragwa forest and the administrators were tipped by members of the public.

According to the DCC, the team carried out a patrol in search of the illegal growing of bhang within the forest. "We were able to uproot and destroy about five tonnes of Cannabis Sativa (marijuana), in a plantation which had a combined acreage of one acre.

"The team agreed as a way forward to form a multi-agency patrol team headed by Sergeant Koskei of KFS to undertake such operations monthly to eradicate illegal marijuana planting and effectively combat drug and substance abuse as per the presidential directive," said Ngaira.

In the recent past, administrators within the region have nabbed and destroyed bhang in a bid to fight drug peddling and illicit brew abuse.

On May 12, this year, a multi-agency team drawn from the Aberdares Sub County seized and destroyed bhang worth Sh400, 000 that was being grown inside the Ndaragwa forest.

On June 12, this year, police in Nyahururu town netted bhang worth Sh150, 000 and arrested a female peddler amid the intensified fight against drugs and illicit brews.

The police believed the bhang was being grown in Ndaragwa forest and parts of Aberdares forest.

This destruction comes in the wake of the Deputy President’s call to eradicate drug and alcohol abuse in the larger Mount Kenya region.

Courtesy ; K. N. A