DCI Unearths Contraband Cables Scandal

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has unearthed another scandal involving the importation of contraband cables.

DCI director George Kinoti on Monday divulged that the crime-busting agency is probing the multi-million shillings scandal.

At the same time, a top KRA official was reportedly been arrested in connection with the scam as detectives attached to the DCI sought more suspects.

[caption caption="KRA's Nicholas Kinoti (In glasses) and other officers displaying the contraband cables"][/caption]

On June 8, counterfeit power cables in three containers worth Ksh.50 million were seized were at three Container Freight Stations in Mombasa.

During the operation, 5 suspects including the importers and their clearing agent were arrested and arraigned in court over the counterfeit cables labelled 'Made in Kenya' and branded East African Cables and Coast Cable Company.

"We have already taken five people to court to answer for the offences even as more investigations are ongoing. Two more people are still at large," Kenya Revenue Authority Southern Regional Coordinator Nicholas Kinoti had stated.

The cables had been shipped from China by Felgit International Limited, Revelation Global Logistics and Almiftah Investment Limited.

Speaking shortly after the cargo was intercepted, East African Cables Managing Director Paul Muigai revealed that the company loses Ksh3 billion every year due to counterfeit and fake cables mainly shipped from China.

Muigai indicated that they had written to Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Monica Juma requesting her to diplomatically engage China to get rid of the cables.

[caption caption="The contraband cables nabbed in Mombasa"][/caption]

A multi-agency team consisting of officers from the Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards and the Anti-counterfeit agency have stepped up the fight against contrabands.

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