A female student at Garissa University is in police custody after detectives raided her hostel room and seized 650 rolls of bhang. The bust has exposed what police describe as a "sophisticated distribution hub" operating from within the institution's halls of residence.

Detectives struck on Wednesday following a tip-off from members of the public who had noticed suspicious traffic to and from the hostel. The sheer quantity of the narcotics recovered suggests the suspect was not just a user, but a key supplier for the student population and possibly the surrounding town.

"Education or Intoxication?"

"It is heartbreaking to see a young brain, sent here by parents to pursue a degree, majoring in narcotics," lamented the Garissa County Police Commander. "We found the rolls neatly concealed. This was a business, pure and simple. We are now tracking her suppliers because she definitely did not grow this in the lecture hall."

The incident has reignited the debate on drug abuse in tertiary institutions. With peer pressure and academic stress acting as triggers, universities are becoming soft targets for drug lords looking for new markets.

• The Legal Peril: The student, whose identity is being withheld pending arraignment, faces charges of possession and trafficking. Under Kenya's strict anti-narcotics laws, she could face a heavy fine or a lengthy prison term, effectively ending her academic journey.
• University Security: Questions are now being asked about the university's internal security. How did 650 rolls of bhang pass through the gate? The administration has promised a full internal audit and stricter checks on students entering the premises.

A Broader Syndicate?

Intelligence sources indicate that this arrest may be the first domino to fall. Police are analyzing the student's phone data to identify her network. "We believe she is a retailer for a larger cartel moving drugs from neighboring counties," a DCI source revealed.

For the parents of Garissa University students, the news is a terrifying wake-up call. The university, which has worked hard to rebuild its image, now faces a new battle: keeping the minds of its students free from the fog of addiction.