A road crash along the Nakuru-Nairobi Highway has led to the recovery of bhang worth an estimated KSh7.2 million after the driver of an SUV abandoned the wreckage and fled.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the incident happened between Shinners Boys and the Mbaruk area after a Mazda CX-5 collided with an oncoming Scania trailer.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that a Mazda CX-5, which was travelling from Nakuru towards Nairobi, attempted to overtake before the driver lost control and collided with an oncoming Scania trailer,” the DCI said.
The impact caused the SUV to spin and sustain extensive damage to its front section. The driver then abandoned the wreckage and fled the scene.
According to the DCI, the abandoned vehicle led officers to a larger discovery.
Six sacks found inside SUV
Police officers from Nakuru Central Police Station processed the crash scene and discovered six sacks containing bhang inside the Mazda CX-5.
“The recovered narcotics weighed 241.5 kilogrammes with an estimated street value of Sh7,245,000,” the DCI said.
The narcotics were secured as exhibits, while detectives from the National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau (NANIB) in Nakuru took over the investigation.
The discovery has turned the crash into a drug trafficking investigation as detectives work to establish where the consignment was coming from and who was behind its transportation.
Driver remains at large
The driver fled before police arrived at the scene and had not been apprehended by the time of the DCI’s report.
“Meanwhile, detectives have launched a manhunt for the suspect, who remains at large,” the agency said.
The DCI said investigations were continuing as detectives pursued the driver and examined the recovered vehicle and narcotics.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations remains steadfast in its commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and ensuring that those involved in the illicit narcotics trade are brought to justice,” the agency said.