Detectives attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) were attacked by an armed gang while tracking a consignment of drugs in Isiolo County.
In a public statement released on Monday, March 30, by the DCI, provided that the officers had been on the trail of drugs that were to be transported via Merti Sub-county.
"Following Intelligence Information that a cache of drugs was to be transported to an unknown destination via Merti Sub-County, DCI detectives, as well as police officers, were dispatched to track down the drug dealers," reads the statement in part.
The officers fell into an ambush the moment they got to Lokole, Isiolo County.
"On reaching Lokole area, the officers were attacked by an armed gang where one officer was injured on his right upper arm," provided the statement.
The team was forced to call in additional officers to assist in the operation after which they searched the area.
"After reinforcement, the team searched the area further where a motor vehicle registration number KBB 333W loaded with 56 bales of Cannabis Sativa were recovered," revealed the statement.
The operation was able to place one of the suspects by the name of Haron Mwenda Tobu under arrest, but the other suspects managed to escape.
"The injured officer was treated and is in stable condition as the search for Mwenda's accomplices continues," concluded the statement.
According to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act, Cannabis Sativa, or marijuana is illegal in Kenya.
As per the law, anyone found trafficking the drug will be liable to a fine of one million shillings and imprisonment for life.
A 2015 study by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) found that bhang was the most widely used drug in Kenya.
About 1% of the population aged 15-65 years are regular users of the drug.
