Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) detectives impounded a consignment of counterfeit alcohol following an ongoing operation on high-level tax evasion schemes by traders dealing in alcoholic products.
Over two thousand empty bottles and eight hundred bottles of counterfeit spirits destined for the local market were recovered in the operation.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Wednesday, October 18 noted that the counterfeit drinks were recovered after a meticulous operation conducted by detectives from the Economic and Commercial Crimes Unit and officials from KRA.
“Over 2000 empty bottles and 800 bottles of counterfeit spirits destined for the local market were recovered, following a meticulous operation conducted by detectives from the Economic and Commercial Crimes Unit and officials from the Kenya Revenue Authority,” the statement reads in part.
Moreover, the drinks, whose safety to consumers could not be assured by the DCI, were packaged in branded bottles that are popular among local joints.
“The counterfeited drinks were packaged in branded bottles that are popular among local joints including, King Horse, Blue Star, King Vodka, Nest Vodka, Chrome Vodka, Blue Ice Vodka, Triple Ace, People Vodka among others,” DCI noted.
Likewise, the KRA sleuths recovered 26,000 pieces of counterfeit KRA stamps, 1,080 liters of Ethanol, two sacks of well packaged assorted bottle tops and assorted labels of different alcoholic brands.
Also Read: Woman Rescued After Abduction by Fake Police Officers
Four Million Worth of Alcohol in a Toilet
Earlier, the multi-agency team acting on intelligence had raided a residential property at Sasian Estate in Kayole.
The officers were able to successfully seize illegal consignments worth Ksh 4,978,400 which were projected to evade tax.
Nonetheless, the authorities issued a seizure notice to the owner of the property and the goods impounded as detectives investigate the source of the ethanol and the fake KRA stamps.
KRA War Against Counterfeit Products
This operation follows another that happened on 14th October where DCI officers recovered a consignment of counterfeit alcoholic drinks and a roll of fake KRA stamps at Kahawa Sukari and Kamulu.
Notably, the raid was conducted by detectives from the Economic Crimes Unit and officials from KRA.
Further, 1,078 bottles of counterfeit alcoholic drinks and one roll of counterfeit KRA stamps were recovered during the raid.
As part of their efforts to end the trade of counterfeit alcohol, the revenue authority launched an app, dubbed, Soma Label.
Also Read: DCI Publishes Names; Photos of 35 Wanted Suspects
The app ensures consumer confidence and helps in the fight against counterfeit alcohol.
Notably, the free application allows members of the public to verify the authenticity of various consumer products including alcohol by checking the excise tax stamps affixed to them.
Therefore, members of the public can authenticate the KRA stamps on these drinks.
In the case of counterfeit drinks, there is a feature on the Soma Label app that allows for anonymous usage and reporting on any fraudulent products.