Police Destroy 3.6 Tonnes of Contraband Sugar After Court Orders

In Kisii County, police officers, judicial officers and representatives from several government agencies witnessed the destruction of 3,600 kilograms of contraband sugar and 1,040 kilograms of bhang after criminal proceedings on the seized goods were concluded.

The destruction exercise was conducted on Friday, June 26, 2026, at the incinerator of Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital after the courts approved the disposal of the exhibits.

The National Police Service (NPS) said the operation was done strictly in accordance with court orders and outlined legal procedures for the disposal of exhibits used in criminal cases.

The destroyed items had been preserved at the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kisii after being confiscated during investigations carried out by police officers, the NPS said in a statement released on Saturday, June 27, 2026.

The exhibits were kept in the custody of the court at the time of hearing and determination of the respective cases and destroyed by judicial authorization.

Police said the exhibits that are illegal or pose a threat to public health and safety are disposed of through legally approved methods after the criminal cases are concluded.

“On 26 June 2026, 3,600 kilograms of contraband sugar and 1,040 kilograms of bhang (cannabis) were destroyed by incineration safely at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital incinerator,” the National Police Service said.

The service said the destruction exercise was supervised by the Kisii Law Courts in accordance with lawful court orders, adding that all stages of the process were done in accordance with the legal requirements of Kenya on the management and disposal of exhibits.

The exercise highlights the need for cooperation among law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and other government institutions to ensure that criminal cases are disposed of in a transparent manner and that illegal goods seized are permanently removed from circulation, the authorities said.

Police said the disposal of confiscated narcotics and contraband products is an important part of the criminal justice process.

The exercise, apart from ensuring court orders are followed, helps stop illegal goods re-entering the market, where they could pose serious health, economic and security risks.

The illegal sugar also highlights the ongoing efforts of authorities to combat illegal trade that continues to pose a threat to legitimate businesses and exposes consumers to products that may not meet the required safety standards.

Likewise, the destruction of more than a ton of cannabis is a testament to the government’s ongoing campaign against drug trafficking and substance abuse.

The National Police Service said destruction of the illegal goods boosts public confidence in the justice system by showing that exhibits seized during investigations are handled properly until the courts decide on their final disposal.

Police said the operation highlighted the dedication of law enforcement agencies and their partners to combat organized crime, drug trafficking and other illegal activities that threaten public safety.

“It also underscores the unwavering commitment of law enforcement and partner agencies in the fight against drug trafficking, substance abuse and other forms of organized crime,” the statement added.

In order to observe the process and to maintain transparency, several senior government officials were present at the destruction exercise.

Among them were Kisii Law Courts Magistrate Mildred Obura, Court Registrar Winnie Keter, Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr. Marita Oimeke and Kisii County Director of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Simon Tonui.

The event also brought together members of the County Unit Coordination Committee, officers of the National Police Service led by the Kisii County Police Commander Ronald Kirui, officials from the health sector, environmental agencies and other government stakeholders involved in law enforcement and public administration.

“The presence of representatives from different institutions is a manifestation of the collaborative approach in the management and disposal of exhibits, particularly those concerning narcotics and other prohibited items,” authorities said.

The devastation coincides with security forces stepping up their efforts to target drug trafficking organizations and anyone engaged in the production, distribution, and sale of illegal goods throughout Kenya. Law enforcement organizations have insisted that they will keep carrying out intelligence-driven operations to dismantle criminal networks while making sure criminals are prosecuted legally.

Additionally, police have reiterated their call for the public to assist in the battle against organized crime by using existing reporting channels to report suspected occurrences of drug trafficking, smuggling, and the distribution of illicit items.

The NPS asserts that public collaboration is still crucial to bolstering law enforcement operations and shielding communities from the negative impacts of drug use and illegal commerce.

The most recent destruction exercise in Kisii is a part of larger national initiatives to protect public health, maintain the rule of law, and guarantee that unlawful products that have been confiscated are permanently taken out of circulation when the relevant cases have been resolved by the courts.