Police at Malaba border nabbed six people who had disguised themselves as mourners ferrying prohibited drinks into Kenya from Uganda.
The six had stashed 1,100 Ugandan Waragi sachets of 100ml each, hundreds of sachets of Simba Waragi and Coffee Spirit in a coffin claiming that they were heading to Nairobi for a burial.
According to Busia County Commissioner Mongo Chimwanga the vehicle had been stopped for a routine check when the outlawed drinks were found.
"We arrested the people at Malaba border, they said that they were relatives of a deceased person from Mbale, Uganda and were headed to Nairobi for burial. Police checked the coffin and discovered unlicensed alcohol in the vehicle. The suspects tried to flee but were caught,” the Standard quoted Chimwanga.
Reports from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) indicated that the goods had not been cleared for import and were contraband.
Chimwanga said that the suspects would be arraigned in court for dealing in smuggled goods.
The new regulations to ban illegal alcoholic drinks in the country has pushed those in the trade to device new methods to ensure that business operated as usual.
