Detectives in Nairobi have apprehended a man believed to be orchestrating a large-scale counterfeit currency operation after uncovering a significant stash of fake US dollars. The arrest came following an intelligence-led operation targeting a vehicle suspected of transporting the illicit cash.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Tuesday, officers focused on a white Toyota Prado, suspected of carrying counterfeit money. The vehicle was intercepted in the Lucky Summer area, and the driver, identified as 38-year-old Felix Nyegesa, was taken into custody.
“Acting on intelligence, the officers set their sights on a white Toyota Prado, registration number KDQ 401U, suspected of ferrying fake US currency. With a keen eye, they intercepted the vehicle in the Lucky Summer area and arrested the man behind the wheel, 38-year-old Felix Nyegesa,” DCI stated.
During a search of the car, detectives discovered a locked metallic blue box hidden in the boot. Nyegesa refused to open it, prompting officers to escort him to the police station for further examination.
“When asked to open it, Nyegesa played hardball, flatly refusing to cooperate. Unwilling to let sleeping dogs lie, the officers ordered him to drive straight to the police station for further grilling,” the DCI added.
At the station, authorities opened the box and uncovered 68 bundles of counterfeit US dollar notes, each containing 100 bills. The box also contained cartons, newspapers, cotton wool, sand, and stones, believed to have been used to disguise and transport the fake currency.
“At the station, the mystery box finally gave up its secrets. Inside were sixty-eight bundles, each packed with 100 counterfeit US dollar notes. Also recovered inside the box were cartons, newspapers, cotton wool, sand, and stones,” DCI noted.
Nyegesa remains in police custody, undergoing processing while detectives continue investigations to map the full scope of the counterfeit currency network.
“Nyegesa is currently in police custody, undergoing processing pending arraignment as detectives dig deeper to unravel the full extent of the syndicate,” DCI confirmed.
