Police Seize Fake Alcohol, Cigarettes In Crackdown On Drugs

In Kiambu County, police seized suspected counterfeit alcohol from different brands after a raid conducted by the officers.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Sep 2, 2023 - 12:56 Updated: Sep 2, 2023 - 12:57
0
Police Seize Fake Alcohol, Cigarettes In Crackdown On Drugs
Counterfeit alcohol and cigarettes recovered during police raids in Kiambu and Murang'a Counties on September 1, 2023. /NPS

Police on Friday, September 1 staged multiple raids in Kiambu and Murang'a Counties while sustaining the war on illicit brew and drugs across the country.

In Kiambu County, police seized suspected counterfeit alcohol from different brands after a raid conducted by the officers.

In a statement, the National Police Service (NPS) revealed that the officers recovered 182 cartons of counterfeit alcohol in different brands as well as 240 litres of spirits in jerricans.

"On September 1, 2023, police in Kiambu County seized several suspected counterfeit alcoholic brands, among them, 44 cartons of ‘Best ‘; 25 cartons of ‘Smart’, 69 cartons of  ‘People’, 44 cartons of "Blue Ice" and 240 litres of spirit in jerricans.

Counterfeit alcohol and cigarettes recovered during police raids in Kiambu and Murang'a Counties on September 1, 2023. /NPS

"Other items recovered in the house include fake KRA stickers, over 1,000 bottles of different brands of spirits and over 2,000 bottle tops," NPS stated in part.

In a similar crackdown within Murang'a County, NPS in conjunction with Anti-counterfeit Officers also impounded several cartons containing uncustomed goods (cigarettes) categorised as excisable goods.

The commission hailed members of the public for continuously tipping them and assisting in the fight against illicit brews and drugs in Kiambu and Murang'a counties.

"The National Police Service appreciates members of the public for their continued support through information sharing," added NPS.

On Tuesday, June 13, the Ministry of Interior shut down 5,995 liquor joints across the country in efforts to enforce compliance with alcohol laws.

In a statement, the Kithure Kindiki-led ministry noted that the joints were shut down after they were found to have failed to comply with the legal operational requirements.

"A total of 43,708 outlets have been assessed, with 37,713 already cleared to carry on with operations while 5,995 have been closed down due to serious safety breaches and failure to fully comply with essential legal requirements," read part of the statement.

The move came a day after Kindiki fired a warning to chiefs, assistant chiefs, and police officers while announcing a crackdown on alcohol manufacturers, distributors and sellers across Kenya.

Speaking at Kirubia Stadium in Tharaka Nithi County, the Interior CS cautioned security officials who will be caught receiving bribes to protect those who continue to produce and sell illicit brews.

While noting that their actions had contributed to the loss of credibility in that department among Kenyans, Kindiki announced that those found undertaking the act would be interdicted immediately.

DP Rigathi Gachagua with CS Kithure Kindiki during the 3rd regional stakeholders engagement on the fight against trade, use, abuse, and consumption of illicit alcohol, narcotics, and other psychotropic substances at Tharaka Nithi County on June 12, 2023. /KITHURE KINDIKI

Tags: