@alalmaurice
Police in Kisumu are pursuing two drivers who abandoned 1000-litre illicit brew and contraband goods they were allegedly ferrying from Uganda.
The drivers took off last week when their vehicles were intercepted by officers from Kondele police station.
County police boss Ranson Lolmodoni said officers were acting on a tip-off from the public.
“We received information that there were two vehicles which were suspected to be conveying contraband goods from Uganda,” he said.
Officers were dispatched and began trailing the drivers along the Kibos-Chiga road towards Rabuor junction then intercepted them.
“They ran away with the automatic ignition keys leaving vehicles on,” he said.
Upon conducting a search, police recovered from motor vehicle registration number KDA 348F Toyota Fielder blue in colour, Simba waragi 49 cartons each containing 24 pieces of 200ml.
A total of 20 cartons of Empire containing 24 pieces of 200ml totalling 1,656 pieces and 15 jerricans of 20 litres of chang'aa totalling 300 litres were also recovered.
In the KCX 114 C white Toyota Wish, 35 jerricans of 20 litres suspected to be either ethanol or chang'aa totalling to 700 litres were impounded.
A driving license and Ugandan Identification card belonging to Juma Musa Washington aged 26 years was retrieved.
The two motor vehicles were towed to Kondele police station and detained with investigations underway.
Members of the public in Kisumu have commended the officers for the swift response to the war against illicit brews.
"We expect such officers to be lauded for the good work. They are hardworking and should be recognised and promoted for exemplary work," John Ochieng, a resident said.
The development comes as police intensify the crackdown on illicit brews and contraband goods ahead of the festive season.
In an operation in Kisumu, five people were arrested on Sunday and alcohol impounded during a crackdown on contraband goods, drugs and illicit brew.
Lolmodoni said raids were conducted within the bus park and Kisumu Ndogo. Kisumu Central police station boss Henry Simiyu supervised the operations.
Simiyu said suspects arrested include Evance Odul with 200 litres of chang'aa, 72 packets of 250ml of coffee spirit and 144 packets of 250ml of Simba waragi while Shamim Hassan was found with two litres of Chang'aa.
Grace Wangoi and Sella Akinyi were arrested with two litres of chang'aa each while Irene Adhiambo had one litre.
(edited by o. owino)