Authorities in Trans Nzoia County have intensified operations against illicit drugs following a successful intelligence-led raid in the Talau area, where officers uprooted two sacks of suspected bhang from a residential compound and arrested a 22-year-old suspect.

The operation was conducted by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) in collaboration with the National Police Service. It forms part of ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking and protect young people from substance abuse.

Speaking after the operation, NACADA Chief Executive Officer Anthony Omerikwa said the Authority had strengthened intelligence gathering and multi-agency coordination to respond to drug-related activity across the country.

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“This operation is a direct result of actionable intelligence and seamless collaboration between NACADA and law enforcement. Our message is clear: we are watching, and we will not allow our children to become collateral damage in the profit-driven schemes of traffickers,” Omerikwa said.

He noted that the Authority’s focus remains on safeguarding children and young people, who he said continue to be the primary targets of drug traffickers.

Omerikwa also warned that the ongoing school holiday period presents increased vulnerability for young people. He urged parents and guardians to stay alert and actively monitor their children’s activities during this time.

“Drug traffickers take advantage of unstructured time when schools are closed. We are countering this by intensifying our ground presence, working with local communities, and dismantling networks one operation at a time,” he added.

He further encouraged members of the public to report suspicious activity through NACADA’s toll-free helpline, 1192, stressing the importance of anonymous reporting in supporting enforcement efforts.

In the Talau operation, officers recovered two sacks of bhang from a residential compound before arresting the 22-year-old suspect believed to be connected to the cultivation. The suspect is being held as investigations continue.

A resident from the area, who requested anonymity, commended the enforcement action and said awareness campaigns had improved community vigilance.

“We now know what to look for and where to report. NACADA’s presence has given us courage. Today’s operation proves that our voices are being heard,” the resident said.

NACADA said the crackdown is part of wider national efforts to dismantle drug networks through intelligence-driven operations and community cooperation. The Authority emphasised that public participation remains key in identifying and preventing drug-related activities.

It called on residents to remain alert and continue sharing information that may assist law enforcement agencies in addressing drug trafficking cases across the country, reaffirming that collaboration with communities is central to prevention efforts.

The operation in Trans Nzoia County adds to a series of ongoing interventions targeting illicit drugs, with authorities maintaining that similar operations will continue in different regions.