KENYAN TOP DETECTIVE, KENOTI IMPOUND COUNTERFEIT ALCOHOL WORTH MILLIONS

KENYAN TOP DETECTIVE, KENOTI IMPOUND COUNTERFEIT ALCOHOL WORTH MILLIONS

By Donald Kogai

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) in

collaboration with the Kenyan Directorate of

Criminal Investigations (DCI) have impounded

illicit liquor worth Ksh. Four (4) million,

following a sting operation at Phoenix Wines &

Spirits Depot located in Ahero, Mich

Wholesalers in Subukia and Savannah Wines &

Spirits in Bahati area of Nakuru County.

The multi-agency team was acting on

intelligence when they carried an operation at

the premises and recovered various brands of

counterfeit alcohol. The company was found to

be manufacturing counterfeits of genuine

alcohol brands.

The recovered products included; 88 cartons of

Steem Vodka, 60 cartons of Supa Vodka, 62

cartons of Bob Vodka, 10 cartons of Sir Antonio

Vodka, 51 crates of Samanna Ice Vodka, two (2)

cartons of Moonwalker Vodka, three (3) cartons

of Kingston Vodka and some Chrome Vodka .

The owner of the depot was arrested and the

company vehicles impounded. He was

arraigned at Nakuru Law Courts and

charged with operating without a license

and manufacturing counterfeits alcohol brands

contrary to the provision of section 15 read

together with section 39(5) and (6) of the Excise

Duty Act. The products were also not affixed

with excise stamp contrary to the provisions of

section 28 read together with section 40 of the

Excise Duty Act.

In a similar operation, the multi-agency team

searched several wines and spirits depots and

homes manufacturers in Subukia Town and

Bahati area. During the operation, the team

searched Boss Distillers Ltd in Bahati alongside

Mich Wholesalers and Savannah wines and

spirits in Subukia Town.

The team confiscated various brands of

counterfeit liquor that included 29 cartons, 19

pieces of Economy Vodka, 61 crates, 12 pieces

of Mara Ice Vodka, 713 cartons, 22 pieces of

Budget Gin, Steem Vodka Aquila Vodka and

Simba Vodka. Most of the brands are

unlicensed and the public are advised not to

buy, sell or consume the products. KRA caution

both wholesalers, stockiest and retailers to

avoid unlicensed brands of spirits such as

Economy Vodka, Aquila Vodka, Steem Vodka,

Simba Vodka, Leader and Boss Vodka.

This is after they found traders manufacturing

unlicensed alcoholic brands fabricating brands

of licensed manufacturers.

Three suspects were arrested during the

operation and they are assisting the police with

investigations. The multi-agency team is

working around the clock to ensure that illicit

trade is eliminated in the country. The team will

continue with the operation and all culprits will

be prosecuted and their machinery and

products seized.

Manufacturers are also urged to safeguard their

brands bottles, tops and labels to eliminate

counterfeiting of their products.

KRA reminds wholesalers, stockiest and

retailers to avoid the following unlicensed

brands of spirits: economy vodka, Aquila vodka,

teem vodka, Simba vodka leader and Boss

vodka.

To boost the fight against counterfeit products,

KRA rolled out the Excisable Goods

Management System (EGMS) on alcohol,

bottled water, juices, energy drinks, soda and

other non-alcoholic beverages. The system

require the products to be affixed with excise

stamps making it easy for the public to identify

illicit products. EGMS has contributed

immensely in the fight against illicit trade and

level the playing ground for traders as well as

protect consumers from substandard products.

KRA is part of the multi-agency agency team

fighting illicit trade and contraband goods. KRA

urge members of the public to support its

operations by providing crucial information that

can help bring the perpetrators to book.