Three arrested as counterfeit alcohol network dismantled in Trans Nzoia

A multi-agency team led by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has dismantled an alleged counterfeiting and illegal ethanol distribution network in Trans Nzoia County, arresting three suspects and seizing more than 400 litres of industrial ethanol.

The pre-dawn raid was carried out on Thursday in the Ngonyek area, where officers discovered a homestead that had been converted into what authorities described as a clandestine packaging plant.

According to NACADA, the premises contained hundreds of empty 250ml branded alcohol bottles and thousands of counterfeit packaging cartons designed to resemble well-known legitimate alcohol brands.

Officials also recovered a cache of fake Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) excise stamps, which they said pointed to significant tax evasion.

NACADA noted that the counterfeit stamps represent millions of shillings in lost revenue, underscoring both the public health and economic implications of the operation.

Speaking at the scene, NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anthony Omerikwa said the operation followed weeks of surveillance targeting the suspects’ activities.

He stated that enforcement efforts are increasingly focusing on individuals believed to be orchestrating the illegal alcohol and drug trade.

“The kingpins in the drugs and substance abuse trade in this country continue to fall each day. For every one of them that the government puts behind bars, our society becomes a safer place for our families and our youth,” Dr. Omerikwa said.

He added that the suspects had strategically positioned the operation between two churches in what he described as an attempt to avoid suspicion.

“This homestead, strategically located between two places of worship, provided the perfect cover for these illegal activities. It is a stark reminder that these criminal networks often hide in plain sight, exploiting the trust of the community,” he said.

Residents in the area welcomed the crackdown, saying illegal brews have caused illness and deaths among young people in the community.

Some recounted cases of individuals falling seriously ill after consuming suspected counterfeit alcohol allegedly laced with industrial ethanol.

The seized ethanol and packaged products have been transported to a NACADA laboratory for chemical analysis, which authorities say will support prosecution efforts.

The three suspects remain in police custody and are expected to be arraigned in court.

They are set to face charges including illegal possession and distribution of industrial ethanol, manufacture of counterfeit goods, and defrauding the government through the use of fake excise stamps.