Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have seized fake Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) stamps at a distillery in Nyahururu town.
The distillery that manufactures and packages counterfeit alcoholic products has been shut down.
The DCI in a statement on Thursday said the counterfeit alcoholic brands they seized were in the hands of youths.
“The plant located at an expansive residential property in Mamboleo village packages fast-moving cheap spirits sold in local wines and spirits outlets,” the statement reads.
The raid was conducted by detectives and officials from KRA based in Nakuru.
Also recovered in the raid were rolls of counterfeit KRA stamps of the highly potent alcoholic drinks among other related products.
The owner of the illegal plant has been issued with a seizure notice and Police summons.
”He is set to appear before the KRA officers based in Nakuru and Police officers respectively on 11/1/2023 with a view of charging him,” the statement reads.
The property has been sealed off by KRA officers pending further action, while the recovered items have been kept in safe custody by KRA for further analysis and audit.
The ongoing operation follows a recent directive by President William Ruto to the police, to conduct intelligence-led operations targeting counterfeit goods.
The directive was after it was discovered that crooked businessmen had devised new ways of evading taxation.
In November, DCI detectives and KRA officials recovered over 800,000 bottles of alcohol and 130,000 fake KRA stamps in a raid at an alcohol manufacturing plant in Athi River.
The consignment of 33,529 cartons each containing 25 bottles includes, all without KRA stamps.
