Detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit in Malindi are trailing a suspected drug trafficker behind a Sh2.5 million worth of cannabis.
The suspect is said to have escaped a police dragnet at his store.
According to a police report, officers conducted a raid at the store following reports from the residents about the “suspect’s engagement in illegal dealings”.
"He got away after spotting the officers leaving his store unattended," part of the report reads.
A search at the store saw the officers retrieve 86 kilogrammes of bhang stashed in four sacks.
“The recovered narcotics were taken to Malindi Police Station for safe custody as exhibits," it further reads.
As the manhunt for the trafficker continues, police have appealed to the public to provide any information that might lead to his arrest.
It has further appealed to them to volunteer information on "suspicious characters or activities to ensure a safe and secure drug-free environment for all citizens."
The incident comes barely three days after police in Mombasa arrested two suspected drug traffickers and seized bhang worth Sh13 million.
The suspects were arrested during a joint operation by detectives from Moi International Airport and the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) in the coastal city.
“Based on a tip-off from the public, authorities organised a stakeout at the Mariakani weighbridge,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said on X.
“Inside the vehicle, the officers discovered a hoard of sixteen sacks and 226 large sticks of cannabis sativa.”
Additional searching unearthed a motor vehicle number plate that had been hidden under the driver's seat, DCI added.
The suspects and the seized narcotics were escorted to the Moi International Airport Police Station for further investigation.
DCI said the recovered substances were analysed by the government chemist and confirmed to be cannabis sativa weighing 456 kilogrammes.