SAMBURU, Kenya — Police in Samburu have intercepted a vehicle suspected of transporting counterfeit alcohol, in an intelligence-led operation conducted at the Suguta Marmar roadblock.
The operation involved officers from Suguta Marmar Police Station working alongside detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Samburu Central, who acted on prior intelligence before stopping and searching the vehicle. The search led to the discovery of alcoholic products suspected to be counterfeit.
The National Police Service (NPS) said the interception forms part of ongoing operations targeting counterfeit alcoholic products and the networks involved in their production and distribution, describing such interventions as important in keeping potentially harmful goods from reaching consumers.
“Such interventions are important in keeping potentially harmful products from reaching unsuspecting consumers,” police said in a statement.
Counterfeit alcohol has remained a persistent concern for Kenyan law enforcement in recent years, with similar operations carried out in counties including Nakuru, Kiambu, Murang’a and Nairobi uncovering large consignments of fake spirits, often bearing forged Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) excise stamps and packaged to resemble genuine, popular brands.
Authorities have repeatedly warned that such products carry unknown safety risks, since their contents and production standards cannot be verified before reaching consumers.
The recovered products from the Suguta Marmar interception will now undergo verification by relevant agencies to establish their authenticity and determine the appropriate course of action.
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The vehicle has been detained at Maralal Police Station while this process is carried out, with police saying further action will follow once the verification is complete.
The NPS reiterated that intelligence-led policing, supported by information from the public, remains central to identifying and intercepting suspicious consignments before they reach the market.
The service urged anyone with information on suspected counterfeit alcohol, or related suspicious activity, to report it through official channels.
Members of the public can report incidents through the national toll-free emergency numbers 999 and 911. Information can also be shared with the DCI through the toll-free #FichuaKwaDCI line on 0800 722 203, or via WhatsApp on 0709 570 000.
