Police have seized 13,200 litres of ethanol, 17,640 packets of suspected counterfeit cigarettes, and arrested seven suspects during an intelligence-led multi-agency operation in Umoja, Thika West Sub-County.
Officers raided a compound believed to be storing and distributing illegal goods, recovering the contraband and impounding two lorries suspected of transporting the consignment. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said investigations are ongoing to dismantle the wider criminal network behind the illicit trade.
According to the DCI, the operation targeted a premises suspected of being used as a storage and distribution point for illegal products.
During the raid, officers recovered 66 drums, each with a capacity of 200 litres, containing a total of 13,200 litres of ethanol.
Police also uncovered 17,640 packets of suspected counterfeit Pall Mall cigarettes that had been concealed beneath animal hides inside one of the lorries at the compound.
"The team also discovered 17,640 packets of suspected counterfeit Pall Mall cigarettes cleverly hidden beneath various animal hides inside one of the lorries at the site," the DCI said in a statement on Sunday.
Authorities impounded two lorries believed to have been used to transport the illicit consignment, while all recovered items were secured as exhibits to support ongoing investigations.
"All recovered items have been secured as exhibits as investigations continue to determine the full scope of the criminal network involved," the agency said.
Seven suspects were arrested during the operation and remain in police custody pending processing and arraignment. They were identified as Isaack Muthee, Lenkai Olemelei, Simon Ndung'u, Paul Mwangi, Stephen Mbugua, Julius Mutuku and Nicolete Lodway.
The DCI said the operation forms part of its broader campaign against illicit trade, which it said poses serious economic and public health risks.
"The Directorate of Criminal Investigations remains focused in breaking down illegal trade networks that threaten public health, support organised crime, undermine legitimate businesses, and deprive the country of vital revenue," the statement read.
Investigators are now seeking to establish the full extent of the network involved in the suspected counterfeit cigarette and ethanol trade as efforts continue to crack down on organised criminal enterprises across the country.