Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations arrested four suspects supplying counterfeit cigarettes at Kenyatta Market in Kilimani area using a lorry found to be carrying 182 cartons of the product estimated to be worth Ksh18 million.
According to a statement from the DCI, police acted on a tipoff from members of the public on Friday, November 22, 2019.
“Over Ksh18 million worth of counterfeit cigarettes were yesterday seized at Kenyatta Market in Kilimani and four suspects found supplying them arrested,” read the report.
“Tipped-off by the public, detectives intercepted a Mitsubishi Canter and upon search, found 182 cartons each containing 50,” the DCI added.
Police are in pursuit of a Chinese suspect who managed to escape arrest. Those detained were identified as Paul Njoroge, Kefa Onyino, Joseph Kariuki and John Wainanina.
Packets of cigarettes seized were branded Golden Deer King Size.
According to the Anti-counterfeit Agency (ACA), one in every five products sold in the Kenyan market is counterfeit.
This has been pointed out to posing a serious threat to Kenyans’ health, security and the economy of the country.
In September 2019, ACA destroyed an assortment of fake goods worth Ksh5 million including cigarettes in Mombasa.
“We at ACA want to further open up to the private sectors to assist in law enforcement and consumer awareness programmes to cut the demand side of counterfeiting,'' remarked ACA Chairperson Flora Mutahi.
