A covert operation carried out by Sunday Standard journalists uncovered a bhang cartel so vast that it's reportedly responsible for more than half of the marijuana in circulation within Kenya.
Over in Tanzania, just a kilometre from the Kenyan border of Isibania lies farms of marijuana so vast, they stretch to the horizon, reminiscent of El Chapo's infamous desert farms that could be seen from space.
Despite being illegal in Tanzania, bhang is grown openly in vast acres of land, with Kenya earmarked as it's primary market.
The journalist posing as potential contacts of a large scale bhang distributor were taken to the very heart of the operation in the neighbouring country through Suna West.
It only took them a few minutes upon entering Tanzania for them to come across the first mega-farm, which they described as so huge it stretched as far as the eyes could see.
Their contact, only identified as Martin, informed them that most of his large scale buyers prefer to buy an entire farm prior to harvest, leaving him to cover the actual harvesting, packing and ferrying of the contraband across the border.
"Kenya is our main market. We do not sell bhang in our country because it is available in plenty. A half an acre worth of Marijuana rakes in Ksh 30,000 to Ksh 60,000 depending on the quality," Martin disclosed.
When questioned on how to handle police patrols on the route to Kenya, he revealed that the officers who mattered were all under their payroll.
"The officers have the names and contacts of all the bhang farmer and anyone who wants to venture into the business must register at the police station to be safe," he divulged.
Martin directed the two undercover journalists to his fellow cartel member in Ikoma village identified as Jacob whose bhang was ready for harvest, where they proceed to make a small purchase and promised to come back for more if the quality met the required standards.
Jacob made it clear that ferrying large quantities across the border would not be an issue as they usually filled three-quarters of their trucks with the marijuana and the rest with charcoal or silver cyprinid omena.
He went on to assure them that the police were reasonable and that they actually offered escort services to trucks belonging to some of his top buyers.
On returning to Kenya, the two undercover journalists made their way to Migori where they informed the County Police Commander (CPC), Joseph Nthenge of their findings and handed over their marijuana consignment.
The CPC on his part confessed to having tried to fight he defined as a losing battle, as the Tanzanian counterparts had refused to indulge in any collaborative effort to curb the vice.
