Officers from National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) have arrested 48 revelers during a crackdown on shisha smoking in Mombasa.
The suspects were arrested on Saturday January 13, over the illegal consumption and selling of shisha in the country.
During the crackdown, 47 shisha bongs and more than 700 shisha ingredients were also recovered from the premises.
Nacada officials have stated that the shisha ingredients will be presented to government chemists for tests.
READ ALSO: Journalists attacked during shisha raid in Kilimani
The officers targeted residential areas turned into shisha smoking zones, which are hideouts in Nyali area.
29 men including the manager of the hideout and 9 ladies were arrested at one of the shisha smoking clubs. The club was operating using an expired licence for a bar and restaurant.
In another hideout, 7 men and 3 ladies were apprehended, although several other revelers escaped.
At the same time, Nacada CEO Anthony Omerikwa urged members of the public to be vigilant and inform the authorities about shisha selling joints, adding that such entertainment joints were breeding grounds for crime.
READ ALSO: NACADA takes action on bouncers who beat up journalists during Shisha raid
The Nacada CEO also urged bar owners and operators to operate under the set regulations, as the agency intensifies the crackdown on shisha smoking.
A similar crackdown was conducted in Nairobi on January 5, at kettle house where bouncers attacked journalists and Nacada officials.
Nacada officials called for backup and police arrested 21 people who were arraigned in court.
A similar operation was conducted in the same area, in Nairobi on December 23, 2023 that led to the arrest of 25 people.
Story by Brian Barasa Siundu, TV47’s Mombasa-based cameraperson
