Detectives uncover a sophisticated subterranean cannabis storage system in Nakuru County, signaling a dangerous evolution in the tactics used by regional drug syndicates.

The war on drugs in the Rift Valley has unearthed a shocking new tactic: underground bunkers. In a dawn raid that has sent shockwaves through the quiet town of Njoro, officers from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) have arrested a suspected drug kingpin and seized a massive haul of cannabis sativa concealed in a concrete-reinforced underground chamber.

The Bunker Strategy

The operation, executed after weeks of surveillance, targeted a seemingly ordinary homestead that hid a dark secret. Beneath the farmhouse lay a well-ventilated bunker, designed specifically to store drugs at optimal temperatures and evade aerial detection. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-7)Officers recovered sacks of bhang estimated to be worth millions of shillings. "This was not an amateur operation," remarked a senior detective at the scene. "The construction of the bunker shows a high level of planning and intent to run a long-term criminal enterprise."

• The Suspect: A middle-aged man, whose name is withheld pending court appearance, was apprehended at the scene. He is believed to be a key supplier for the Nakuru-Nairobi drug corridor.
• The Haul: Preliminary weigh-ins suggest the seizure exceeds 500 kilograms, one of the largest in the region this year.

A Changing Battlefield

The discovery highlights the evolving nature of the drug trade in Kenya. As police intensify crackdown efforts on highways, traffickers are investing in static, hidden storage facilities to stockpile narcotics before distribution. Njoro, with its rich agricultural cover and proximity to major highways, has increasingly become a transit hub.

NACADA has warned that this raid is just the beginning. "We are adapting our tactics to match the criminals," a spokesperson said. The agency is now calling on landlords and community members to be vigilant, noting that such sophisticated infrastructure cannot be built without raising eyebrows. For the residents of Njoro, the raid is a rude awakening to the organized crime festering in their midst.