Police in Murang’a South Sub-County have uncovered a major cache of contraband goods after raiding a residential building in the Kimorori area that was allegedly being used to manufacture and package illicit alcohol.
The operation was carried out by officers from Kenol Police Station following a tip-off from a house agent who became suspicious after a tenant failed to pay rent for two months and abruptly disappeared. The tenant was identified as Peter Waembu Waweru.
According to police, the agent raised the alarm after becoming concerned about the locked premises and unusual activity surrounding the house.
The matter was escalated to the area sub-chief, who peered through a window and noticed signs consistent with the production and packaging of illegal liquor.
“Police officers from Kenol Police Station have recovered a cache of contraband goods hidden in a residential building in Kimorori area of Murang’a South Sub-County,” the DCI said in a statement.
Acting on the information, officers stormed the premises and discovered a large-scale operation involving counterfeit alcoholic products and packaging materials.
Among the items recovered were six cartons of Supa Vodka containing 250ml bottles labelled as Smart Vodka, 24 cartons of Trace Vodka with similar misleading contents, three cartons of Lyniber Vodka, and 109 cartons of Crywan Vodka disguised as Kingston Vodka.
Also seized were cartons of J-Movers and Rangers Vodka, a carton of UDV Vodka, assorted liquids suspected to be used in brewing illicit alcohol, and several drums and jerrycans believed to have been used for transporting ethanol.
Police further recovered two alcohol content thermometers, five sacks filled with assorted liquor bottle tops from different brands, and 15 bags of empty bottles ready for repackaging.
In a significant discovery pointing to tax evasion, officers recovered 1,777 counterfeit Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) excise stickers. Investigators confirmed that none of the stickers were genuine.
“It was established that the KRA stickers on both the packages and those yet to be used were fake,” police said.
All the recovered items have been secured as exhibits at Kenol Police Station as investigations continue.
Authorities have launched a manhunt for the suspect, who remains at large.
Police have appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, noting that community cooperation was key to exposing the illegal operation.
