The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested a suspected drug trafficker after a gruesome road accident in Migori County exposed a bhang haul valued at more than Ksh34 million.
The incident occurred on April 24, 2026, along the Migori–Kehancha road near River Kuja in Rongo Sub-County.
In a report, Police said the suspect was transporting narcotics valued at more than Sh34 million when the crash occurred, exposing a trafficking route and criminal networks operating across regions.
According to the DCI, the trailer lost control, veered off the road, and plunged into the river.
The crash caused significant damage and attracted local residents, who alerted emergency services and police officers in the area.
Gruesome Crash Leads to Hospital Arrest
The driver of the trailer was identified as a 52-year-old.
According to investigators, he sustained serious injuries during the accident and was rescued by members of the public who rushed him to the hospital for urgent treatment.
He was later admitted to Migori County Referral Hospital, where he remains under tight police guard as investigations continue.
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Law enforcement officers from Rongo Sub-County were immediately deployed to the hospital to secure the suspect and prevent interference with the case.
The DCI added that the injuries could have easily been fatal, describing the crash scene as severe and dangerous.
The suspect’s survival enabled detectives to pursue further inquiries and secure critical evidence related to the suspected drug-trafficking operation.
Following the accident, a coordinated recovery operation was launched to retrieve the submerged trailer from River Kuja.
Police divers and recovery teams worked for hours before successfully recovering the vehicle from the river.
Recovery Operation Uncovers Bhang Haul
After the trailer was recovered, it was towed to Kamagambo Police Station for a detailed inspection by crime and anti-narcotics officers.
During the inspection, officers discovered large quantities of bhang concealed inside the trailer. Anti-Narcotics officers based in Isebania were called in to take over the inquiry.
After measuring and documenting the consignment, detectives established that the trailer was carrying 1,137.8 kilograms of bhang.
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The drugs were estimated to have a street value of Ksh34,134,000.
Police said the recovered bhang was carefully packaged and appeared to be intended for distribution beyond Migori County.
The discovery reinforced concerns about the use of heavy commercial vehicles in transporting illegal drugs across long distances in an effort to evade detection.
Authorities said the suspect will be formally charged once discharged from the hospital and declared fit to appear in court.
He remains under police watch as investigators finalize statements, conduct forensic checks, and complete documentation related to the seizure.
Detectives are also pursuing possible accomplices and working to trace the origin of the drugs and the intended destination markets.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has urged members of the public to continue sharing information to help disrupt trafficking networks and prevent harmful drugs from reaching communities.
Officials said anonymous tips have played a key role in past successes and remain essential to protecting public safety, supporting law enforcement, and strengthening collective responsibility against organized crime nationwide.
The DCI stated that cases involving large drug seizures send a strong warning to traffickers who believe highways and rural routes offer safe passage.
They added that ongoing patrols, intelligence sharing, and joint operations will be intensified across border points and transport corridors.
