Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations attached to the Anti-Narcotics Unit in the Rift Valley region have arrested a suspected drug trafficker and seized a large consignment of cannabis following a dramatic pursuit along the Eldoret–Nakuru Highway.
According to investigators, the incident occurred on March 14, 2026, when officers conducting routine patrols flagged down a blue Toyota Voxy with registration number KCS 496B after it aroused suspicion.
Instead of stopping, the driver allegedly sped off, triggering a high-speed chase that headed toward the Kaptembwa area.
During the pursuit, detectives managed to deflate the vehicle’s right front tyre. Despite the damage, the suspect reportedly continued driving toward the 140 Area before abandoning the vehicle in a vacant plot near Kaptembwa Police Station and attempting to flee on foot.
The driver, identified as David Muraya, aged 35, was swiftly pursued and arrested by officers.
A search of the vehicle revealed thirteen sacks containing dry green plant material suspected to be cannabis sativa, weighing approximately 272 kilograms. Authorities estimate the street value of the seized drugs at around KSh 8,160,000.
The suspect is currently in police custody and is expected to be arraigned in court on March 16, 2026 as investigations continue.
The seizure adds to a series of recent anti-narcotics operations carried out by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations across the country.
In recent months, detectives have intensified efforts to disrupt drug trafficking routes commonly used to transport narcotics across the Rift Valley region and into major urban centers such as Nakuru and Nairobi.
Authorities say highways connecting major towns have increasingly been used by traffickers attempting to move narcotics in bulk using private vehicles and public transport. Previous operations along the Eldoret–Nakuru corridor have also resulted in significant seizures of cannabis and other illegal substances.
Security agencies warn that drug trafficking networks often rely on concealed compartments in vehicles and frequently attempt to evade police checkpoints by using secondary routes or fleeing when confronted by officers.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has reiterated its commitment to intensifying operations against narcotics trafficking and dismantling criminal networks involved in the illicit drug trade, urging members of the public to share information that could assist in tracking down traffickers.
