Police in Nyandarua have destroyed bhang valued at Sh2 million that had been planted in Aberdare Forest.
County Commissioner Boaz Cherutich said yesterday the bhang, discovered by residents at Shamata in Ndaragwa, had been planted on a quarter acre.
He said they have launched investigations and promised to find those behind the plantation.
Mr Cherutich said they will enhance patrols to ensure criminals are not planting bhang or carrying out any other illegal activities in the forest.
"We are committed to fighting drug abuse and we will do it to the end. We are aware some people have been planting bhang in this forest. The bhang has contributed to crime and school dropouts. We will get those behind this," he said.
Cherutich urged residents to work with the police to fight crime in the region.
Ndaragwa Community Forest Association chairperson Francis Gathurai noted that it was residents who noticed the bhang that was ready for harvest.
“We have over 52 groups of young men who are involved in manning the forest and ensuring no illegal activities are going on there. We are on the lookout to weed out elements that are violating forest laws by growing outlawed plants such as bhang," Mr Gathurai said.
Area Kenya Forest Service inspector Joseph Babu refuted claims his officers were involved in growing bhang, logging and charcoal burning that have been reported in the forest.
County police commander Gideon Ngumi said they would wipe out cartels planting and selling bhang in the region.
