A joint operation by Interpol, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has led to the seizure of 22 drums of ethanol valued at approximately Ksh9.64 million.
This is after the team intercepted a vehicle suspected of transporting illicit ethanol along Nakuru’s Mzee wa Nyama Road.
The incident occurred at midnight when officers stopped a white Isuzu Canter, registration number KDG 044T, driven by Peter Karimi Kiarie. Upon searching the vehicle, police discovered 16 fully loaded drums, each containing 250 liters of suspected ethanol, along with six empty drums.
According to the DCI in Nakuru, the total tax loss is estimated to exceed Ksh4.7 million.
Both the vehicle and the driver were taken to Nakuru Central Police Station, with the ethanol seized as evidence under suspicion of being uncustomed goods.
KRA has issued a seizure notice, and investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the smuggling network.