Anti-narcotics officers in Mombasa have arrested a 54-year-old man in a targeted operation aimed at curbing drug trafficking along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa highway.

The suspect was apprehended in the Jomvu area after officers, acting on a tip-off, flagged down a Nairobi-bound Nissan matatu. A subsequent search led to the recovery of three bags belonging to the suspect.

According to a statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) shared on X, the bags were found to contain 40 sachets of cannabis sativa, Tanzanian currency totaling TSh5,035,000, and Sh4,960 in cash.

The suspect and the seized items were taken to the Port Police Station as investigations continue. He is expected to be arraigned on charges related to drug possession and trafficking.

This arrest comes amid heightened efforts by security agencies to dismantle drug distribution networks across the country. Just weeks earlier, the DCI convened a five-day anti-narcotics workshop at the National Criminal Investigations Academy (NCIA), bringing together investigators from across East Africa.

The training addressed emerging threats, including synthetic drugs, psychoactive substances, and the digital drug market. Participants also discussed the rise of illegal drug laboratories and the movement of chemical precursors across regional borders.

Authorities have long raised concern over Kenya’s geographical position and developed transport systems, which have made it a key transit point for international drug syndicates. Traffickers are said to exploit vulnerabilities in both maritime and border surveillance systems.

Earlier this year, anti-narcotics agents at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) intercepted a shipment of suspected amphetamines concealed inside candles.

The parcel, which originated from Bujumbura, Burundi, was en route to Australia.

“The latest operation underscores the critical role of intelligence sharing and regional cooperation in combating the drug menace,” said the DCI, reaffirming its commitment to disrupting narcotics networks and safeguarding public health and security.