A lorry carrying contraband sugar was intercepted on Saturday night at the Lunga Lunga One Stop Border Post in Kwale County. According to the National Police Service, the sugar is believed to have been smuggled from a neighbouring country with the intention of being illegally brought into Kenya, reports Kenyans.co.ke.
The operation, conducted by officers from the National Police Service working in coordination with a multi-agency team from other government enforcement units, led to the arrest of the vehicle’s driver, identified as Musakawa Hamadi. The Isuzu lorry, bearing registration number T199 BHP, was found to have concealed 144 bags of Brazilian sugar, each weighing 50 kilograms, beneath a visible load of fresh oranges in what appeared to be an attempt to avoid detection.
The intercepted vehicle and the sugar consignment have been detained at a Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) facility as investigations continue. The multi-agency team is conducting further inquiries and questioning in connection with the case.
Authorities say sugar smuggling remains a persistent challenge. In a separate case earlier this year, officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested a 46-year-old man suspected of being a key player in a fraudulent sugar import scheme that defrauded four businessmen of over Ksh100 million. The crime, reportedly carried out between May and October 2023, involved a fake deal to import 15,000 bags of sugar from Brazil. The victims made the payments through five different bank accounts but never received the promised sugar.
Back in 2018, concerns over the quality of imported sugar also came to light when the government, through the KRA, ordered the return of 40,000 tonnes of Brazilian sugar brought in by Darasa Limited. The consignment was rejected after it failed to meet quality standards set by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
In light of these ongoing challenges, the police have issued a strong warning to the public against participating in smuggling or the distribution of contraband goods. The National Police Service, in collaboration with other enforcement agencies, reaffirmed its commitment to protecting national security and promoting economic stability by clamping down on illegal trade.
