Crackdown on alcohol and drugs intensifies in Mandera
The county government has stepped up surveillance and intelligence gathering to identify individuals and criminal networks involved in the illegal alcohol trade.
The fight against the illegal sale of drugs and illicit alcohol has intensified in Mandera County following the arrest of a woman suspected of operating an illegal alcohol distribution business during a county-led enforcement operation.
The suspect was apprehended during a targeted raid conducted by Mandera County enforcement officers in one of the town's residential estates as part of an ongoing crackdown aimed at eliminating the illegal production, sale and consumption of alcoholic brews and narcotic substances.
During the operation, officers recovered and confiscated 30 bottles of assorted alcoholic beverages together with 20 litres of chang'aa, a potent locally brewed spirit that is outlawed when produced or sold outside the legal regulatory framework.
The suspect, identified as Christine, was taken into custody at Mandera Police Station where she is awaiting processing before being arraigned in court.
Senior County Enforcement Officer Ibrahim Robow praised the successful operation, describing it as part of efforts by the county government to dismantle illegal brewing dens, curb the proliferation of illicit alcohol and protect young people from substance abuse.
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"Our officers remain committed to enforcing the law and protecting residents from the harmful effects of illegal drugs and illicit alcohol. We will continue conducting intelligence-led operations across the county to ensure those involved in such unlawful activities are brought to justice," Robow said.
He noted that the county government has stepped up surveillance and intelligence gathering to identify individuals and criminal networks involved in the illegal alcohol trade, warning that enforcement operations will continue across the county.
County officials say the illegal substances have contributed to rising cases of crime and other social challenges affecting communities.
Authorities have appealed to residents to play an active role in the campaign by reporting individuals suspected of engaging in the manufacture, sale or distribution of illegal alcohol and drugs.
Chang'aa is a highly potent traditional spirit distilled from fermented grains such as maize, millet or sorghum. The name, which loosely translates as "kill me quickly" reflects its notoriously high alcohol content, which can exceed 40 percent, a pointer to the serious health risks, including blindness and, in severe cases, death, posed by the drink.
