Two men have been handed a 24-year prison sentence and a fine of Ksh50 million each for trafficking cannabis worth over Ksh4 million, following a year-long legal battle that has drawn widespread attention.
The two were convicted at the JKIA Law Courts after being apprehended last May during a dramatic police operation on the Nairobi-Naivasha highway.
The duo was intercepted by officers from the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) near the Flyover area while driving a white Toyota Passo.
A routine search quickly turned into a major bust as seven sacks and eight packages filled with dry plant material were found in the vehicle.
The substance was later confirmed to be cannabis sativa, weighing a staggering 161.75 kg with an estimated street value of Ksh4,852,500.
Their arrest set off a chain of events that culminated in their recent conviction. Following the seizure, the two were taken to the DCI headquarters, where the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) took charge of the investigation.
After analysis and evidence collection, they were arraigned before the JKIA Law Courts on May 29, 2023. The evidence was presented in Court.
The court proceedings saw six witnesses present damning testimonies, ultimately leading to the conviction of the two men.
In addition to the hefty prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of Ksh50 million on each of the convicts, with the stipulation of an additional one-year imprisonment if the fines remain unpaid.
While the 24-year sentence is significant, it pales in comparison to a harsher ruling from March last year.
Another drug dealer, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for trafficking 6.7 kilograms of bhang, valued at Ksh201,300.
The suspect had confessed to trafficking 122 rolls of bhang in Kilifi South Sub-County, a crime for which he was swiftly punished by Magistrate Leah Kisabuli.
The previous case, like the most recent sentencing, reflects the government’s tough stance on drug-related crimes.
Under Kenyan law, cannabis use is strictly prohibited, regardless of whether it is for medical or recreational purposes.
Offenders caught in possession or sale of cannabis face severe penalties, including up to 20 years in prison and fines that can reach Ksh1 million or three times the market value of the cannabis involved.
