Three suspects have been arrested, a motor vehicle impounded, and Sh3.4 million worth of suspected counterfeit second-generation alcohol seized in Machakos County.
Machakos deputy county commissioner David Rotich said the suspects were nabbed during a police swoop within the Mumbuni area in the Machakos subcounty on Thursday night.
The liquor was recovered from a trader’s home in Mumbuni, outskirts of Machakos town.
“Police officers acting on a tip-off from members of the public visited the Mumbuni area and upon conducting investigations, they were able to impound alcoholic products of two different brands,” Rotich said.
Rotich spoke during a joint presser at the Machakos County Police Commander Patrick Lobolia’s office on Friday.
He said the consignments included 66 boxes of one of the brands valued at Sh1, 864, 000 and 517 boxes of the other brand valued at Sh1, 551, 000.
Each box contained 20 bottles of 250 mL of alcohol.
“The two brands' total value is Sh3, 415, 000. In addition, the officers also impounded 463 boxes containing empty bottles, which totalled 9,260. The impounded products were removed to Machakos police station, where they have been kept as investigations continue,” Rotich said.
Rotich said officers from KRA, Kebs, and Nacada had been called to help with the investigations.
“The reasons why the products were impounded included that they were in a residential area, not in a distribution store, which raises suspicion since genuine products are usually distributed in a well-known area. We suspect that some of these products could be using fake KRA duty stamps, and if that is confirmed, it means that the government is losing a lot of taxes to such businesses," he said.
"If what I have said is confirmed, then it means the products would be questionable. That’s why we have invited Kebs to come and sample the products for verification.
"Apart from impounding these products, police officers were able to arrest three suspects. Once these agencies conclude their investigations, appropriate charges will be preferred on the suspects who are in custody,” Rotich said.
Rotich said as the county's security team, they were committed to protecting consumers in Machakos from harmful products. He said they were also keen on ensuring that the government doesn’t lose revenue needed to develop the country.
“I appeal to members of the public to continue sharing information with us so that we can move in swiftly and prevent disasters from occurring,” Rotich said.
Lobolia said the seizure and arrests were evidence that security operators in Machakos were alert.
“We have seized this liquor due to our good relationship as police officers and the public. We started these operations a long time ago, seeing us recover lots of bhang, illicit second-hand generation liquor, and several other narcotics,” Lobolia said.
Lobolia said some of those involved in the outlawed businesses had moved out of towns and relocated to rural areas and Machakos villages since police intensified their crackdown operations.
