Suspect arrested as KRA impounds over 40,000 litres of smuggled ethanol worth Ksh.26.9M

Detectives have arrested one person in connection to smuggling 40,971 litres of ethanol valued at Ksh.26.9 million which was being transported to Limuru, Kiambu County.

A contingent of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officers and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Wednesday intercepted two tanker trucks each carrying 17,766 litres and 23,205 litres which had been concealed as imported molasses from Uganda.

Edward Nandwa Otundo, who was one of the tanker drivers was nabbed as his accomplices fled.

According to a statement by KRA, the consignment is believed to have been smuggled into the country through the Lwakhakha border station last week.

“The intelligence-led operation that began on Sunday 25th August 2024 and dragged through to Wednesday led to the seizure of 40,971 litres of smuggled ethanol valued at Ksh.26.9 million concealed as imported molasses from a neighbouring country,” KRA stated.

“The ethanol was being transported ?to Limuru in two tanker trucks each carrying 17,766 litres and 23,205 litres and which crossed into Kenya through Lwakhakha border station between 19th and 24th August 2024.”

Sleuths unravelled the trick behind concealing the ethanol with molasses where the main compartments of both tankers were filled with a total of only 2,720 litres of molasses while the rest included concealed compartments filled with ethanol.

KRA says the valves of the tankers were constructed to allow molasses to be drained whereas the ethanol remained hidden and could only be drawn through pipes passed through the hidden compartments.

“The investigation teams subjected the vehicles to scanning to ascertain the concealed compartments and later the contents were drawn for forensic tests to establish the chemical composition,” KRA noted.

The Authority later disclosed that the owner of both trucks is Isaac Muigai Kahugu who is still at large together with one of the drivers.

The arrested suspect was moved to Capitol Hill Police Station as the goods were stored at the KRA warehouse for processing.