Detectives Seize Illicit Liquor Worth Over Ksh980K In City Crackdown

In a statement, the DCI said that the recovery which comprises mixed brands of the illicit liquor with an estimated value of Sh 984,000 has been escorted to a KRA warehouse, and a seizure notice issued to the suspect.

“As the crackdown christened Operation Uchumi heightens, further investigations are ongoing to establish the source of the counterfeit drinks,” the DCI said.

The recovery comes a week after a similar operation saw detectives impound over 2,500 bottles of counterfeit alcoholic drinks at a house within Chai estate in Kiambu County.

According to the DCI, the operation was targeting high-level tax evasion schemes by traders dealing in alcoholic products.

“Over 2500 bottles of counterfeit spirits destined for the local market were recovered, following a meticulous operation conducted by detectives from the Economic and Commercial Crimes Unit and officials from the Kenya Revenue Authority,” DCI said in a statement on November 18.

“The counterfeited drinks whose safety to consumers could not be immediately ascertained were packaged in branded bottles that are popular among local joints including, Smart Vodka, Supa Vodka, Blue Ice, People Vodka among others.”

The officers also recovered 24,000 pieces of counterfeit KRA stamps and 40 litres of Ethanol.

“A seizure notice was issued and the goods impounded as detectives investigate the source of the ethanol and the fake KRA stamps,” DCI added.