Following the surge in the sale of illicit brew and circulation of counterfeit and contraband goods in Kenya, police officers have in the past week intensified operations to nab the products and arrest the suspects involved.
The successes have been achieved through the multi-agency approach of teams comprising National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) and police officers from various stations.
Multiple raids at bars and brewing dens have led to the seizure of illicit brews and contraband goods.
Notable raids have been conducted in Thika West Sub-County, where officers destroyed 200 litres of ‘Kangara’ in the Kangoni area. On 31st January, police officers from Juja Sub-County seized 80 litres of molasses hidden in the bushes along Theta River.
Still in Kiambu County, NPS officers managed to arrest three male adults in possession of several rolls of bhang and twelve (12) sachets of Heroin. All the suspects were booked and have since been arraigned in court.
Elsewhere, in Nyandarua County, an operation on illicit brew and unlicensed alcoholic outlet yielded fruits as one suspected was arrested at a bar where ten cartons and 200 bottles of 250 ml Vodka Spring with fake KRA stamps.
Another suspect was apprehended at a wine and spirits with assorted brands of alcoholic drinks were recovered affixed with fake KRA stamps.
In a series of other wins by the multi-agency teams both in Bomet and Kakamega Counties, officers managed to raid several illicit brewing dens and areas suspected of harbouring illegal gambling machines.
In Bomet County, 47 rolls of bhang and 24 stones of the same were nabbed. In addition, six illegal gambling machines were confiscated.
While in Kakamega County, 12 illegal gambling machines and 8 litres of Changaa in the Maraba Area were confiscated.
The operation was also conducted in Nairobi Area, where several people were arrested for operating bars without liquor licenses. The OCS Kibra, with his team and NGAO officers, managed to capture and destroy 4,060 litres of illicit brew, and two people were arrested for possessing illegal brew.
Similarly, two female suspects were apprehended with 100 litres of illicit brew in Ganga Ward, Tharaka Nithi County.
“In another operation conducted in Kisii County, we netted 650 litres of illicit brew, and destroyed distillation apparatus nabbed from different Chang’aa dens,” said the police.
“It is no doubt that the outlawed alcoholic drinks and illicit drugs have had adverse immediate, short-term, and long-term negative effects on the public, particularly the youth.”
“National Police Service therefore shall not relent in the fight against the illicit brew menace and assures the public of its commitment to get rid of illicit brews and contraband goods,” added police.
