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A middle-aged man, suspected to be mentally ill was arrested with Ksh275, 000 in cash.
Police say they were dismayed by the money the man had after they also nabbed him with more than 1,500 banned plastic bags.
Officers from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) had conducted a raid in Kimilili, Bungoma County on Friday where they found the outlawed plastic bags.
Bungoma environmental officer, Rob Kipkoech, said a group of youthful street urchins tried to attack NEMA officials when they were arresting the suspect.
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The suspect who was arrested in Bungoma with Ksh275,000
Nema faces challenge at border
Kimilili Sub-County Deputy Commissioner, Joyce Onguso told journalists that the suspect will be arraigned in court after officers complete their probe into the incident.
The man who was arrested by police is being detained at a Bungoma police post.
Nema said that Kenya’s long, porous border with Uganda remains the biggest challenge in the fight against smuggling of plastic bags.
Outlawed plastic bags
Nema's Busia County Director Edward Menza said the porous border has remained a major route for smuggling the outlawed plastic bags adding that criminals carry small quantities to beat security checks.
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Plastic bags are banned in Kenya
The use, manufacture and importation of all plastic bags for commercial and household packaging were banned in Kenya effective August 28, 2017.
Those found guilty of using them risk a two-year jail term or a fine of between Ksh2 million and Ksh4 million.