Kenya: 21 drug peddlers arrested

(SomaliNet) In a major operation to flush out drug dealers from Malindi and surrounding areas, twenty one drug peddlers have been arrested.

Police commandant Gregory Waikwa yesterday warned the “big fish” in the drugs trade that their days were numbered. “
There have been sacred cows in the drug business who never got arrested. I am telling them we are out for them and their days are numbered,” said the OCPD who was transferred to the area recently.

The crackdown, during which the over 30 police officers used drug detectors, started four days ago in Malindi and neighbouring Watamu, which are home to some of the most wanted drug dealers in Kenya.

“The ones we have arrested are only the small timers. We are out for a fully-fledged war against the big men behind the scene,” Mr Waikwa said.

In all the operations, which were coordinated by the OCS, Mr Frederick Njiru Ndirangu, and led by officers from Mombasa, none of the major suppliers were arrested. Police believe the dealers fled after receiving tip-offs from rogue police officers about the impending raids.

“There are police officers who have been receiving protection fees on a weekly basis from the drug barons. We suspect they tipped the suspects about the raids.

That was why we never got any of them. But we will catch up with them,” Mr Waikwa said.

The crackdown would be suspended during the festive season of Idd-ul-Fitr, but will resume at a date Mr Waikwa did not reveal.

So far, only Maweni, Timboni and Kisumu Ndogo have been covered but the police boss said the crackdown would spread to all other areas.

In another incident, a Narok businessman, Mr Ugas Idhow Noor, his three employees and a relative were tied up and shot dead and their bodies dumped near a Maasai manyatta on Friday night.

The employees were Mr Adan Yunis Noor, Mr Shugri Ali, Mr Adan Abdikadir Hassan and a driver whose name was not identified immediately.

The five were travelling from Itong trading centre to Narok Town to join relatives for the Idd-ul-Fitr celebrations when they were carjacked at about 9.30pm.

The officer commanding Narok police division, Mr Patrick Wambani, said that the carjackers stole money from their victims. -Nation