A routine police stop escalated into a Hollywood-style chase along the Machakos–Kangundo highway, culminating in the seizure of cannabis worth KSh 14.2 million. The Tuesday night incident saw officers pursue a speeding Toyota Prado TX, whose driver refused to pull over, sparking a multi-kilometre pursuit that ended only after police shot out the vehicle's tyres.

This bust is more than just a seizure; it is a stark indicator of the sophisticated and brazen methods traffickers are using on Kenya's major highways. The operation highlights the critical challenge facing law enforcement in dismantling organised crime networks that threaten to turn Kenyan roads into drug corridors, impacting community safety and the well-being of the nation's youth.

The Midnight Pursuit

The drama began when detectives stationed at Kyumbi, along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa highway, flagged down the Prado, registered as KDN 555V. Instead of complying, the driver accelerated, diverting towards Mutituni and triggering the chase. According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), officers were forced to open fire to halt the fleeing vehicle.

The Prado, its tyres disabled, lost control and plunged into a valley in the Kyanguli area. The occupants managed to escape into the darkness, abandoning their high-value cargo. A thorough search of the SUV uncovered 473.7 kilograms of compressed cannabis sativa, meticulously packed and concealed.

A Deepening National Crisis

This incident is not an isolated one. It reflects a broader, troubling pattern of drug trafficking across the country. Law enforcement agencies have noted a persistent effort by cartels to smuggle narcotics, with significant busts occurring with alarming frequency.

• Recent Seizures: In Mombasa, a recent joint operation led to the arrest of two traffickers and the confiscation of 456 kilograms of cannabis valued at over KSh 13.6 million. Another operation in Bamburi, Mombasa, recovered cannabis worth KSh 16.6 million.
• Trafficking Tactics: Smugglers are increasingly using passenger vehicles and concealing drugs within legitimate cargo, as seen in a case where bhang was hidden among bags of potatoes in a trailer.
• Official Involvement: The war on drugs is complicated by corruption. In a damning case, three Kenya Airways employees were recently sentenced to 25 years in prison for trafficking heroin valued at over KSh 60 million, tarnishing the airline's reputation.

Machakos County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) Kasim Baricha confirmed the recovery and emphasized that a manhunt for the escaped suspects is in full swing. "Investigators have launched an intensified manhunt and are working to establish both the origin of the narcotics and their intended destination," Baricha noted. The vehicle has been towed to Kyumbi Police Station as evidence.

As detectives work to trace the ownership of the Prado and the network behind this shipment, the incident serves as a potent reminder of the ongoing battle against transnational organised crime. The outcome of this investigation could be crucial in disrupting a supply chain that fuels addiction and crime, affecting countless Kenyan families.