Two arrested, uncustomed goods and bhang seized in Isiolo

The vehicle was flagged down along the Kinna–Garbatulla road but attempted to speed off.

Police in Isiolo county have arrested one suspect and recovered a consignment of uncustomed goods during a patrol operation along the LAPSSET corridor.

The incident happened in the early hours of Saturday, August 16, when officers from Garbatulla police station intercepted a vehicle ferrying contraband foodstuffs.

According to a police report, the vehicle was flagged down along the Kinna–Garbatulla road but attempted to speed off.

In the process, it lost control and landed in a ditch.

Upon searching it, officers discovered 52 bags of sugar, each weighing 25 kilograms, and nine cartons of spaghetti.

The vehicle was escorted to Garbatulla police station, and one suspect was taken into custody.

Authorities described the haul as uncustomed goods, meaning items that have been imported into the country without going through the required customs procedures such as declaration and payment of import duties.

Such goods are illegal because they deny the government vital revenue, distort fair competition in the marketplace, and often bypass quality or safety checks.

This creates not only economic losses but also potential health risks to unsuspecting consumers.

The National Police Service emphasised that the fight against smuggling remains a key priority.

“We remain committed to combating smuggling and other economic crimes that undermine national security and revenue collection,” the service said in a statement.

Cases of uncustomed goods, especially food items, have been on the rise in parts of northern Kenya, with smugglers exploiting porous border points and rough terrain to evade detection.

Police have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities that may be linked to smuggling networks.

The suspect in custody is expected to be arraigned as investigations continue.

The goods and vehicle remain detained at Garbatulla police station.

Meanwhile, police acting on a tip-off have arrested a trailer driver in Mariakani after recovering a large haul of cannabis sativa.

The arrest followed an intelligence-led operation in which officers intercepted a trailer along the Mariakani–Mazeras Road.

Upon conducting a thorough search, the officers discovered six sacks containing approximately 6,000 large rolls of cannabis sativa hidden in the vehicle.

Police said the narcotics, whose street value is yet to be established, were destined for distribution networks along the Coast region and beyond.

The driver was immediately arrested and escorted to the Coast Regional Police Headquarters for further processing before being arraigned in court.

The National Police Service commended members of the public for providing the timely intelligence that led to the interception.

Kenya has witnessed a surge in drug trafficking cases in recent days, particularly bhang.