A multi-agency security operation has dismantled a counterfeit alcohol manufacturing syndicate operating from a residential house in Ruring’u Nyeri and seized illicit liquor valued at more than Sh2 million.
According to Nyeri Central Deputy County Commissioner Ngunyi Maina the raid followed a tip-off from members of the public who raised alarm over suspicious movements of vehicles in the neighbourhood at night. The information prompted security agencies to investigate and conduct the raid.
Maina said preliminary investigations suggested that the syndicate may have been operating for about a year, with the manufacture and transportation of the counterfeit alcohol reportedly taking place at night.
He said that the multi-agency team gained entry into the house where they found two suspects using crude methods to manufacture the counterfeit alcohol by mixing ethanol and water before packaging the mixture in bottles bearing labels of recognised alcohol brands.
“The two men that we have arrested earn a meagre Sh 600 per day to make this harmful alcohol that could destroy a whole generation. They have told us they fill-up drums with water and then estimate the amount of ethanol to add in order to make the alcohol potent. They then pour the mixture into bottles and seal them using the pressing machines we have confiscated,” he said.
The multi-agency team which comprised of national government security officers, county government enforcement officers and members of the Nyeri county Alcoholic Drinks Control and Management Directorate recovered two pressing machines used to seal bottle tops, assorted bottle caps, alcohol brand stickers, fake Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) stamps worth about Sh 250,000, plastic mixing drums that are used for mixing the ingredients and dozens of jerry cans which authorities said could have been used to transport the ethanol.
They also seized 10 kilograms of citric acid, bottle stickers valued at Sh150,000, several consignments of already packaged alcoholic drinks, bearing labels of Star Ice, Apple Ice, Diamond Ice and Taifa Ice.
The administrator said the operation is part of an intensified government crackdown on the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit alcoholic drinks in the county. He warned that the trade posed a serious threat to public health and the future of young people.
He accused the manufacturers of the killer brews of prioritising profits at the expense of public safety, adding that the suspects were producing different brands of alcohol using bottles associated with established brands to disguise the illicit products.
“We have people who are manufacturing counterfeit alcohol and as government officers we will hunt them down because they are out to destroy the future generations. These manufacturers are out here to benefit themselves; they are not concerned about the threat they pose to the society and as a government we will ensure we do everything possible to protect the society,” he said.
He also appealed to liquor traders to work with authorities to stem the illicit trade.He warned bar operators against accepting suspiciously cheap products and urged them to report distributors supplying counterfeit alcohol within the sub-county.
“We are also appealing to the liquor sellers to partner with us in this war. When the distributors of this counterfeit alcohol bring this alcohol to your businesses please alert the security organs so that we can arrest them. Do not accept to be part of the illegal trade simply because it is cheap and brings you more money faster, otherwise we will destroy our society,” said Maina.
The seized alcohol samples will be submitted to the Government Chemist for analysis to establish their composition and potential health risks. Similarly, Maina said the two men arrested during the raid are assisting investigators to identify and apprehend the masterminds behind the operation adding that they intend to institute legal proceedings against the masterminds.
The DCC revealed that the sustained sting operations against the illicit trade in the sub-county were yielding fruits. He noted that so far, the multi-agency had impounded counterfeit alcohol worth close to Sh 4 million and shut-down five businesses operating without licenses.
On Wednesday this week, an unlicensed bar operating at the heart of Nyeri town’s central business district was shut down. On Thursday alone the same multi-agency team closed down four unlicensed bars operated by a businessman who is also suspected of manufacturing counterfeit alcohol. During the raid they also confiscated several gambling machines allegedly being operated illegally at the premises. The machines are valued at Sh 600,000.
He further raised concerns about the possible exploitation of young people through illicit alcohol and gambling, alleging that some politicians were using the liquor to influence youths and incite chaos.
And while calling for collaboration with members of the community in order to win the war against the killer brews, the DCC urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to local administrators and security agencies, noting that community cooperation was critical in dismantling the networks involved in the manufacture and distribution of illicit alcohol.
By Wangari Mwangi and Silvia Mwangi
