Navy officers patrolling along the Indian Ocean flagged two vessels ferrying contraband through Lamu into Somalia.
The Kenya Navy Soldiers intercepted the two boats in the Barakuda area with the illegal consignment.
A report published by the Daily Nation on Wednesday, April 8 provided that the boats were ferrying miraa worth Ksh 25 million to Somalia, all of which was burnt by authorities.
Navy officials commandeered the two boats and placed their occupants under arrest.
The miraa, packaged in sacks, was subsequently handed over to the Kenya Coast Guard who destroyed it at Ras Kitau Beach on Manda Island.
Irungu Macharia, the Mombasa County Commissioner, issued a suspension on the sale and transport of miraa in Lamu on April 1 to arrest the spread of Covid-19.
The commissioner appreciated the efforts of the Kenya Navy in spotting the vessels flouting the existing ban.
“We are grateful for the hawk-eyed efforts of our Kenya Navy soldiers who were able to stop such a huge consignment from crossing our borders into Somalia,” stated Macharia.
The commissioner further stated that it was paramount to respect the law if the coronavirus pandemic was to be stopped.
“Coronavirus is not a joke and so I don’t understand why people can’t do as they are told so we can all stay safe and alive,” asserted Macharia.
Lamu officers had burnt another consignment of miraa coming into the county on April 3.
The consignment was valued at 11 million and contained 3 tonnes of the banned commodity.
