Counterfeit spirits seized in Kenya operation

Kenya's Directorate of Criminal Investigations says more than 300 cartons containing thousands of bottles of counterfeit spirits have been confiscated in Thika as part of a crackdown on tax evasion.

The counterfeit drinks – whose safety to consumers could not be immediately ascertained, according to the DCI - were packaged in branded bottles that are "popular with the youth."

That includes drinks such as Kane Extra, King Vodka, Nest Vodka, Hunters Vodka, Chrome Vodka, Blue Ice Vodka, Konyagi, Triple Ace, Hunters Vodka, K.C Vodka, Kibao among others.

Earlier, the detectives acting on intelligence had raided a residential property at Mugi Court in Makongeni Thika Sub-County, where empty bottles of different brands, hundreds of litres of ethanol and the illegal consignment was confiscated, said the DCI.

Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officers assisting the operation also confirmed that the seized drinks had counterfeited revenue stamps affixed on them.

The recovery comes days after the detectives arrested suspects engaged in the printing of fake KRA stamps including those from neighbouring countries of Uganda and Tanzania.

The ongoing operation follows a recent directive by Kenya's government instructing police to conduct operations targeting counterfeit goods after uncovering evidence of tax evasion by "crooked businessmen".