Police from Starehe Sub-county in Nairobi on Wednesday, June 23 conducted a raid in the Mathare informal settlement at Bridgestone and Colombia areas recovering an assortment of drug substances and other suscipicious items used to engage in crime in the heavily populated area.

Led by Sub-County Police Commander Mr. William Sirengo, who was assisted by the Mathare Police Station OCS, the law enforcers raided the areas which have been flagged as drug peddling hubs and illegal gambling dens in a bid to dismantle the establishments and bring the suspects dealing in the vice to book.

The dens which have been strategically erected along the Mathare River had become a nuisance in the neighbourhood and after the raid , six suspects were arrested as others managed to evade arrest.

A manhunt for the suspects has since been launched to being them to book.

Some of the drugs recovered include one kilogram of heroine, five kilogrames of cannabis sativa and illicit brew. The dens also harboured several needles, alcohol pads, dagger and NSP Kits. A gambling machine was also recovered.

The suspects are being held at the Mathare Police Station and will be arraigned in court today on Thursday, June 24.

The police continued to caution the public against engaging in such crimes as they ruin the social fabric of society.

"Engaging in such vices in our neighbourhoods erodes the society and National Police Service discourages members of the public especially the youth from engaging in criminal activities," the statement by the police stated.