NAMUTUMBA — A police sniffer dog has helped investigators recover a substantial quantity of freshly harvested coffee allegedly stolen from a garden in Namutumba District, as the hunt intensifies for a suspected coffee dealer who reportedly fled after being tracked to his store.
Police in Namutumba are pursuing Karim Kazimbe, a resident of Mazuba Central, Mazuba Parish, who is also a businessman involved in the buying and selling of coffee.
The dramatic operation followed a reported theft on the night of September 2, 2026, when unknown thieves allegedly entered a coffee garden belonging to a complainant and made away with quantities of freshly harvested coffee.
The matter was promptly reported to police, triggering an investigation involving detectives and canine handlers from Kibuku.
Sniffer dog follows trail
In a major breakthrough, police deployed a sniffer dog named Honey at the scene of the alleged theft.
Honey picked up the scent of the suspected offender and followed the trail for approximately half a kilometre, eventually leading the police team to a house and store allegedly belonging to Kazimbe, a local coffee dealer.
According to police, the store was found open. Upon searching the premises, the canine team reportedly discovered a substantial quantity of fresh coffee.
However, the operation took another turn when the suspect allegedly spotted the police officers and the sniffer dog approaching his premises.
Kazimbe reportedly fled the scene, leaving police to recover the coffee from the store.
The recovered coffee has been secured and is being treated as an exhibit as investigations continue.
Police have intensified efforts to locate and apprehend Kazimbe, while detectives continue to follow leads surrounding the alleged theft and the recovered produce.
The incident highlights the growing use of police canine teams in tracing suspects and recovering stolen property, particularly in cases involving agricultural produce.
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