Written By Vanessa Kariuki ||
Detectives have seized a shipment of fake alcoholic beverages as part of an ongoing investigation into sophisticated tax evasion tactics by sellers of alcoholic products.
Following the painstaking investigation carried out by DCI sleuths and representatives from the Kenya Revenue Authority, approximately 300 cartons carrying thousands of bottles of fake spirits intended for the local market were confiscated.
The fake beverages, whose safety for consumers could not be immediately determined, were packaged in well-known brands that are popular among young people, including Kane Extra, King Vodka, Nest Vodka, Hunters Vodka, Chrome Vodka, Blue Ice Vodka, Konyagi, Triple Ace, Hunters Vodka, K.C Vodka, and Kibao, among others.
In a previous operation, the detectives acting on information, seized the unlawful consignment, hundreds of liters of ethanol, empty bottles of various brands, and residential property at Mugi Court in Makongeni Thika Sub-County.
“KRA officers accompanying our officers during the operation also confirmed that the seized drinks had counterfeited revenue stamps affixed on them. The recovery comes days after the detectives arrested suspects engaged in the printing of fake KRA stamps including those from neighboring countries of Uganda and Tanzania,” said DCI.
“The ongoing operation follows a recent directive by His Excellency President William Ruto to the police, to conduct intelligence-led operations targeting counterfeit goods, after it was discovered that crooked businessmen had devised new ways of evading taxation,” DCI added.
