More than 400 litres of industrial ethanol were seized and three people arrested after authorities uncovered a counterfeit alcohol operation in Ngonyek, Trans Nzoia County, during a pre-dawn raid on Thursday, The Star reported.
The crackdown was carried out by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), with support from the National Police Service and the Kenya Revenue Authority. Officials said the suspects were operating from a homestead that had been converted into an illegal packaging centre.
Investigators found hundreds of empty 250ml branded alcohol bottles, thousands of fake packaging cartons and counterfeit excise stamps bearing the KRA mark. Authorities said the use of fake tax stamps suggested that the operation had led to significant losses in government revenue.
NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr Anthony Omerikwa said the raid followed weeks of surveillance targeting the group. He said efforts to crack down on illegal alcohol and drug networks were ongoing and aimed at protecting families and young people from harmful substances.
Dr Omerikwa pointed out that the illegal activity was taking place at a home located between two churches, which he described as an apparent attempt to avoid suspicion. He said such networks often hide within communities while taking advantage of public trust.
Local residents welcomed the action, saying there had been past cases where young people fell seriously ill or died after consuming suspected counterfeit alcohol believed to contain toxic ethanol.
The seized ethanol and packaged items have been taken to a NACADA laboratory for testing to determine their chemical composition. The findings will be used in court. The three suspects remain in police custody and are expected to face charges related to illegal possession and distribution of industrial ethanol, production of counterfeit goods and use of fake excise stamps.
