Five suspects arrested in Kayole with 446 bags of fake sugar

Some of the contraband sugar impounded in Busia town recently. over 400 bags of counterfeit sugar believed to have originated from Western were last night nabbed in Nairobi’s Kayole area. [Ignatius Odanga, Standard]

Five suspects were last night arrested by detectives in Nairobi’s Kayole area repackaging fake sugar believed to have originated from the Western region.

During the sting operation, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers also impounded 446 bags packed in 50kg bags. 

Geoffrey Mutua, Moses Murigi Irungu, Elkana Waro Omache and Nancy Wanja Kitonga were found at a store in Choka area repackaging the contraband sugar.

“446 bags of counterfeit sugar were last night impounded from Ventures Green Store in Chokaa area following an operation by a team of detectives. Five suspects found repackaging the said sugar were,” said DCI.

Detectives said investigations are underway with samples having been take from the impounded sugar for further analysis.

The suspects will be charged accordingly once investigations are completed.

“Exhibits have been secured and samples collected for further analysis from the sugar that was marked NOT FOR SALE,” said DCI, adding that the suspects will be charged accordingly.

MPs from the sugar-belt region have asked the government to clamp down on unscrupulous businessmen involved in the contraband sugar business, saying they are to blame for the dwindling sugar industry in the country.

Detectives are on high alert after more than 3000 bags of sugar suspected to be laced with mercury disappeared from two godowns in Changamwe and Jomvu in Mombasa.

The godowns were closed last year by a multi-agency team led by KEBS and KRA probing contraband sugar suspected to be contaminated with mercury and copper.

Police reports indicated that over 20 armed suspects raided the godowns and loaded the bags in a waiting lorry before driving off.