Security agencies and the Judiciary in Kisii on Friday destroyed 700 kilograms of bhang and 500 kilograms of contraband sugar valued at more than Sh18 million, bringing to an end years of storage of the illegal exhibits.
The destruction followed court orders issued in various cases, with the seized goods incinerated at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH) facility to ensure the prohibited substances do not find their way back into circulation.
Kisii Chief Magistrate Ada Obura said the exercise demonstrated the Judiciary’s commitment to combating drug and substance abuse while creating much-needed storage space in courts and other institutions that had held the exhibits since 2018.
Kisii County Police Commander Ronald Kirui said the exercise marked the end of the chain of custody for the seized items.
He said the destruction reinforced public confidence in the justice system by demonstrating that confiscated harmful substances are subjected to due legal process before being safely disposed of.
Kirui also called for greater cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the public in the fight against drug abuse, warning of the dangers illegal substances pose to society.
KTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr Oimeke Mariita linked the rising cases of mental health challenges among young people to increasing drug and substance abuse.
He said drug abuse was imposing a heavy social and economic burden on families and the healthcare system, urging all stakeholders to strengthen efforts to curb the menace.
“The social and economic cost of drug abuse is immense. All stakeholders must work together to address this growing challenge,” Dr Mariita said.
The destruction exercise comes as authorities intensify efforts to remove illicit drugs and other illegal goods from circulation through coordinated action between security agencies and the Judiciary.
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