3 suspects arrested for producing counterfeit alcoholic spirits

By Peter Ochieng

Three suspects have been arrested in Nakuru, over the alleged production of counterfeit alcoholic spirit brands.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the trio were nabbed after a joint operation composed of officers from DCI headquarters, the Nakuru regional county investigations office, and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) enforcement officers.

The suspects, Mary Mugure, Peter Macharia, and Vincent Kibagendi were arrested in a godown on Print Press Road within the Nakuru industrial area.

“Officers seized 60 sacks of assorted bottle caps for different alcoholic spirit brands, a plastic moulding machine, two and a half drums of ethanol, and various labels and stickers for the fake brands,” said the DCI in a statement.

The recovered items, DCI added, were transported to the KRA warehouse in Nakuru, and the suspects are currently in custody, pending arraignment.

“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations reaffirms its dedication to collaborating with other stakeholders to combat the infiltration of counterfeit products in the market.”

The arrest comes days after the DCI Regional Coordinator for Nyanza Lenny Kisaka, led a team comprising the Kisumu County and Sub County security teams, officers from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP), the Judiciary and Public Health officers among other stakeholders, in overseeing the destruction of Cannabis Sativa (bhang) valued at approximately Sh13,140,000.

The exercise took place at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) grounds, after a court order from the Kisumu Law Courts.

The order mandated the destruction of 10 sacks of Cannabis Sativa, weighing 438 kg, in an incinerator located at the hospital grounds.

The 438-kg consignment was impounded in February, by DCI officers on patrol at Otonglo area along the busy Kisumu-Busia highway.

“The officers laid an ambush but the owners of the car did not show up prompting them to search the vehicle where ten sacks of cannabis sativa weighing 438 kgs with a street value of Sh 13,140,000 were discovered,” said Kisaka.