Police on Thursday, November 7, 2024, seized hundreds of litres of industrial ethanol and other outlawed substances in Juja, Kiambu county.
During the raid, 480 litres of industrial ethanol and cartons of assorted second-generation alcohol were confiscated.
According to Kiambu County Police Commander Michael Muchiri, this was a major step in the fight against counterfeit products that pose a health hazard.
“We have just made a major breakthrough in the fight against second-generation alcoholic products. Today we managed to find 480 litres of ethanol at this house in Juja. On top of this we have been able to find 163 cartons of assorted second generation alcohol,” noted the police commander.
Some of the items that were seized by the police during the raid
Photo
Courtesy
The second-generation alcohol was being manufactured and stored inside a three-bedroom residential house in Theta village, Juja.
The alcoholic drinks were found in the house where they were being distilled, packed and reportedly sold to bars in the surrounding areas.
According to Muchiri, police also seized a vehicle heavily loaded with empty bottles, noting that the drinks were being produced in a poor environment with no sign of adherence to distilling standards.
“These products are of course dirty, prepared in a bad way and are completely a health hazard,” the police commander added.
The police also revealed that they found a roll of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) stickers, believed to have been used by the suspected manufacturer to evade taxes and deceive consumers.
The police commander was quick to thank the surrounding community who were critical in helping the police make the bust.
“We must sincerely thank the community for the role they played in our efforts today. Without the involvement of the community in such operations, there is very little that we can do. We got some members of the community who were able to work closely with the police and assist,” Muchiri stated.
He also thanked members of the public for tipping off police, leading to a successful raid.
“This is a very secluded house and no activities seemed to be done. However, that did not stop members of the public from giving us the necessary support and information,” the commander added.
Tharaka-Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki leading a multi-agency team in raiding illicit brew during a past operation.
KNA
