Police officers from Kenol Police Station have uncovered a major counterfeit liquor production and packaging operation in Murang’a County following a tip-off from a concerned house agent.
In a statement on Tuesday, January 13, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) revealed that the officers raided a residential property in the Kimorori area of Murang’a South Sub-County after the tenant, identified as Peter Waembu Waweru, disappeared owing two months’ rent.
The breakthrough came when the house agent, troubled by the tenant’s mysterious disappearance and the persistently locked premises, reported the matter to the area sub-chief.
A cautious inspection through a window revealed suspicious activity, with evidence pointing to the production and packaging of illicit alcohol.
Upon storming the location, officers uncovered a massive haul of contraband items.
The seizure included six cartons of Supa Vodka containing 250ml bottles of Smart Vodka, twenty-four cartons of Trace Vodka with deceptive contents, three cartons of Lyniber Vodka, and one hundred and nine cartons of Crywan Vodka disguised as Kingston Vodka.
Additional recoveries comprised cartons of J-Movers and Rangers Vodka, along with assorted liquids suspected to be used for brewing illicit liquor.
The operation also netted five sacks filled with various liquor bottle tops from different brands and fifteen bags overflowing with empty bottles primed for repackaging.
Officers further recovered one carton of UDV Vodka, various drums and jerrycans believed to have been used for transporting ethanol, two alcohol content thermometers, and a stash of one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven counterfeit Kenya Revenue Authority stickers.
Investigators determined that the KRA stickers affixed to both packaged goods and those awaiting use were all counterfeit.
All items are currently held at Kenol Police Station as exhibits while authorities continue the manhunt for Waweru, who remains at large.
The recovery underscores ongoing efforts by law enforcement to clamp down on the illicit liquor trade, which has been linked to tax evasion and public health risks.
