The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has confiscated a trailer, fuel tankers, generators fitted with hosepipes, and other apparatus that were being used in a fuel syphoning business in Nairobi.
In a statement on Friday, May 10, the directorate indicated that the business was being run next to a supermarket and an open-air market off Kangundo Road, along KCC Road in Nairobi.
Following a tip from members of the public after they noticed fuel spillage in the area, DCI officers embarked on a mission to apprehend the syndicate being the business multimillion business.
Other items recovered included funnels, 20 litres jerrycans and several tanks containing unestablished amounts of syphoned fuel confiscated.
“The crackdown by the Operations Support Unit also saw a trailer, two fuel tankers, generators fitted with hosepipes, funnels, 20l jerrycans and several tanks containing unestablished amounts of siphoned fuel confiscated.
“Acting on a tip-off by a concerned member of the public on a notable spillage and the impunity with which the illegal business operated just next to a supermarket and an open-air market along KCC Road, the officers moved into the compound that was concealed by a temporary iron sheet fence,” noted DCI.
Also Read: Gas Leak Reported After Fuel Tanker Overturns Along Busy Highway
DCI On Suspects Behind the Operation
Despite their efforts to arrest the suspects, DCI indicated that the well-organized criminal syndicate caught wind of their crackdown at the facility and escaped through a hidden route.
“But the well-organized criminal syndicate involved in the illegal operations got wind of police presence through their informers and, locking the main entrance from within, secured enough time to hole up through another route thus evading arrest,” explained DCI.
However, after preliminary investigations, the detectives noted that the business operators were linked to another raid conducted behind Shell petrol station off Lunga Road in Nairobi.
“41 suspects were rounded up and charged, but the five tankers found at the site later released through a court order.
“The DCI thanks members of the public who continue to volunteer actionable information on this illegal business, as they contribute pragmatically to prevention of loss of lives through unfortunate cases of infernos such as the dreadful February 2 Embakasi gas explosion,” added the sleuths.
Also Read: Panic as Fuel Leaks Reported at Petrol Station
Leaking Petrol Station
Earlier in April 17, Residents of Saba Saba area in Mombasa County had to be evacuated following reports of a leaking fuel tank at a petrol station in the locale.
According to Mombasa County Chief Fire Officer Ibrahim Mossefat, an attendant at the petrol station noticed the leak of fumes that may have begun on Tuesday, April 16.
He reached out to the authority and emergency services who arrived promptly at the location. Mombasa County fire department responded and evacuated motorists around the area.
Additionally, a multi-agency team was deployed to the area to conduct inspection and investigations as the station remained temporarily closed.
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