By Antony Gitonga
Nyandarua, Kenya: Farmers in Kinangop, Nyandarua County have come up with new ways to conceal bhang on their farms and are now planting it in greenhouses.
This emerged as a former head teacher in Gathara village was found growing the narcotic in his vast farm. The bhang worth millions of shillings was discovered in the greenhouse where tomatoes were also being grown.
Last year CID officers raided a farm in the same area and discovered poppy plant used to manufacture heroin.
The retired teacher, however, said the bhang in his greenhouse belonged to his friend. “My friend requested that I lease him a section of the greenhouse to grow some flowers and I’m shocked to learn that it is bhang,” he said.
Senior Government officers, who visited the vast farm, expressed concern over an increase in bhang growing in the area with many farmers planting it in greenhouses.
Lucrative sector
Nyandarua South OCPD Samson Munyao said they had acted on a tip-off from the public. He said details indicated that the former teacher had been in business for years.
“The suspect is openly admitting that this is a lucrative sector and we have uprooted all the plants,” he said.
Meanwhile, police in Ng’arua Division in Laikipia County have uprooted over half an acre of bhang within Ol-Arabel forest.
Two suspects found burning charcoal were also arrested in the same area and are suspected to be behind the illegal plantation.
The team also came across wanton destruction of indigenous trees and red cedar by the illegal loggers.
—Additional reporting by James Munyeki
