Detectives have arrested two people after uncovering a suspected contraband storage facility during an intelligence-led operation in Vihiga County, as authorities continue to crack down on illegal trade networks dealing in uncustomized goods and diverted government supplies.
The operation was carried out by officers from Luanda Police Station working together with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Headquarters Operations Unit.
The team raided premises in Mwichio Township within Emuhaya Sub-County after receiving intelligence linking the location to a suspect popularly known as “Moi”, who is believed to be involved in a network dealing in uncustomized cigarettes and government-subsidised farm inputs.
According to investigators, what looked like an ordinary business premises turned out to be a suspected storage point for various illegal goods.
During the search, detectives recovered 36 boxes of uncustomized Supermatch King Size cigarettes containing about 6,000 cigarette sticks.
They also found two boxes of Oris cigarettes that had been marked for export.
The officers further recovered 50 bags of Government of Kenya fertilizer, each weighing 50 kilograms.
The fertilizer had been supplied through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) and manufactured by OCP Company.
Investigators are now seeking to establish how the subsidised farm inputs ended up at the premises and whether they were diverted from their intended beneficiaries.
Other items seized during the operation included five bales of plastic bags, 19 bales of Nice Flat Bags measuring 5×8 with 200 pieces in each bale, and 90 packets of assorted-colour Rizzla rolling papers.
Police arrested Ruth Ongachi and Shem Amianda during the raid.
The two suspects remain in custody as detectives complete the necessary processing before presenting them in court.
All the recovered items have been taken to the Vihiga County DCI headquarters, where they have been secured as exhibits.
Investigators are continuing with inquiries to determine the origin of the goods, uncover how they were distributed, and identify other people who may have been involved in the suspected illegal business.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations said it remains committed to dismantling criminal networks involved in contraband and illicit trade across the country.
The agency also urged members of the public to continue sharing information that can help investigators identify and arrest those involved in economic crimes, saying public cooperation remains important in protecting legitimate businesses and government programmes from exploitation.
