Police arrest three suspects, impound consignment of counterfeit alcohol
Security agencies in Machakos County stand beside a consignment of counterfeit second generation alcohol worth Sh3.4 million which was recovered from a trader’s home in Mumbuni in the outskirts of Machakos town on Thursday night. Three(3) people were arrested during the police operation. Photo/Gastone Musyoka
Police in Machakos County have arrested three(3) people in connection with counterfeit second generation alcohol worth Sh3.4 million.
Machakos Deputy County Commissioner David Rotich said the suspects were nabbed during a police swoop within the Mumbuni area on Thursday night.
The liquor was recovered from a trader’s home. Mumbuni is located in the outskirts of Machakos town.
“Security 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,” Mr Rotich said on Friday while addressing journalists at the Machakos County Police Commander Patrick Lobolia’s office.
Mr Rotich said the consignment 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 250ml of alcohol. The two(2) 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 taken to Machakos police station, where they have been kept as investigations continue,” he added.
Mr 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.
Mr Rotich said if what they have said is confirmed, then it means the products would be questionable saying that they have invited Kebs to come and sample the products for verification.
"Apart from impounding these products, police officers were able to arrest three(3) suspects. Once these agencies conclude their investigations, appropriate charges will be preferred on the suspects who are in custody,” Mr Rotich said.
He said the county's security team is committed to protecting consumers in the county 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,” he added.
Machakos County Police Commander Patrick 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,” Mr Lobolia said.
He 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.
He also urged residents in the county to continue working closely with the police for crime prevention and make neighbourhoods safer.
