17 suspects linked to various criminal activities in the Coast region have been arrested following coordinated security operations launched in response to rising insecurity.
According to the National Police Service (NPS), the suspects are currently in custody awaiting arraignment in court.
The officers recovered assorted crude weapons, a firearm, narcotic drugs, and police uniforms during the multi-agency operation, which is still ongoing.
More than 40 mobile phones and SIM cards believed to have been used to coordinate criminal activities were also seized.
“Several crude weapons, such as clubs and machetes, as well as government stores, including police uniforms and other exhibits relevant to ongoing investigations. The officers also recovered one AK47 rifle, one magazine, twelve rounds of ammunition, more than 35 kilograms of suspected narcotic drugs, including bhang, heroin and cocaine,” NPS said in a statement.
The region has recently experienced a surge in criminal activities, including armed robbery, burglary, drug trafficking, and the violent invasion of private land by armed gangs, particularly in Kilifi.
“This has caused concern among residents and disrupted the sense of security within communities,” the National Police Service said.
The service assured the public that officers across the region are proactively addressing emerging security threats, adding that they will not relent in efforts to flush out criminal gangs as part of sustained measures to strengthen public safety and preserve peace.
