A multi-agency team of detectives based at the Economic and Commercial Crimes Unit and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officials have impounded a consignment of cigarettes worth over Ksh32 million said to be illegal.
In a statement, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) says that the consignment was impounded along Riara Road near Shra Engineering in Kahawa West, Nairobi.
“The consignment comprising of over 20,000 packets of popular Supermatch and Palma Safari cigarette brands was seized by the undercover team posing as potential clients at a residential house along Riara Road, near Shra Engineering in Kahawa West, Nairobi County,” DCI stated.
Empty cigarettes cartons
The sleuths also recovered counterfeit stamps from KRA and the Uganda Revenue Authority as well as empty cigarette cartons labelled British American Tobacco (BAT), Kenya and Supermatch.
One suspect identified as Veronicah Njeri Kariukiwas arrested and detained at Muthaiga police station before being arraigned in court.
According to the DCI, the total tax lost through the smuggled cigarettes is estimated at Ksh18 Million.
