Police seize 94 cartons of contraband cigarettes, arrest one
By Aloys Michael, September 3, 2025A major police operation in Kirinyaga County has led to the seizure of a large consignment of contraband goods and the arrest of a person of interest, police confirmed.
Police say a multi-agency security team raided a shop in Kienja Village, Kiangai Sublocation, Kirinyaga West, acting on a tip-off from vigilant members of the public. The operation was led by Kirinyaga County Commissioner Hussein Araso and County Police Commander Nelson Taliti.
“During the search, officers recovered ninety-four cartons of Supermatch cigarettes, eighty-nine thousand bundles of polythene bags, four opened cartons of Supermatch cigarettes, and sixty-four packets of Oris cigarettes,” the police said in a statement on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
The raid, coordinated by senior county security officials including Kassim Baricha (CCIO), John Mbugua (DCC Kirinyaga West), and SSP Luckyton Mudavadi (SCPC Kirinyaga West), targeted a shop suspected of being involved in the illegal trade.
One person was arrested at the scene and remains in police custody as investigations continue. Authorities say the individual will be processed and arraigned in court soon. The recovered items have been secured as exhibits.
Police praised the role of the public in supporting law enforcement efforts.
“We appreciate the vigilance of the public and encourage continued cooperation in the fight against the trade in contraband and other illegal activities,” the statement added.
The bust marks another win in the ongoing crackdown on illicit trade in the region, with police promising more operations to dismantle illegal networks across the country.
It comes days after the detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) apprehended two people in Nairobi following a raid that uncovered large amounts of counterfeit US currency.
According to a report by the detectives on Friday, August 29, 2025, the operation was based on solid intelligence that led officers from the DCI Nairobi Regional Office to apprehend the persons of interest.
“Detectives from the DCI Nairobi regional office have apprehended two women in possession of substantial quantities of counterfeit US dollars,” DCI said.
Following the report by DCI, the persons of interest have been identified as Ifrah Ali Jeyte and Qamar Salat Abdi.
“Acting on solid intelligence, detectives conducted a well-coordinated operation in Upper Hill, where they arrested the female suspects, Ifrah Ali Jeyte and Qamar Salat Abdi,” DCI said.
Detectives have further revealed that after a swift search, the police were able to identify numerous bundles of 100 USD notes cleverly concealed in a handbag.
“A swift search revealed numerous bundles of 100 USD denomination notes cleverly concealed in a handbag.” DCI wrote.