Police in Makueni County have arrested four suspects and seized counterfeit currency worth KSh4.378 million in an operation targeting a suspected fake money network.
The crackdown was carried out by officers from Mtito Andei Police Station following intelligence that helped detectives trace individuals believed to be involved in the distribution of counterfeit banknotes.
The first arrests were made in Kambu Township, where officers apprehended two suspects identified as 57-year-old Sophia Adhiambo and 59-year-old Michael Gitau.
The two were allegedly found in possession of counterfeit Sh1,000 notes valued at KSh4 million.
After the arrests, officers expanded the operation to Mtito Andei Township as they sought to establish whether more people were connected to the suspected network.
Their investigations led them to a HOWO truck bearing registration number KDX 614H/ZH 8450. The truck was reportedly transporting fertilizer from Mombasa to Naivasha when it was intercepted and searched by the officers.
During the search, police discovered an additional KSh378,000 in counterfeit Sh1,000 notes. The money had allegedly been concealed inside the truck.Two men who were travelling aboard the truck were arrested.
They were identified as 52-year-old Robert Tonde and 42-year-old Stephen Musila.
The latest arrests bring the number of suspects taken into custody during the operation to four, while the total amount of counterfeit currency recovered stands at KSh4,378,000.
Police have since secured the recovered currency as investigations continue. The four suspects remain in police custody as officers complete the necessary processing before they are presented in court.
Detectives are also working to establish where the counterfeit notes came from and where they were headed.
Investigators are expected to examine the links between the suspects, the money recovered in Kambu and the cash found inside the truck.
Authorities are also seeking to determine whether the four suspects were acting alone or were part of a wider network involved in producing or distributing fake currency.
The operation highlights the continued efforts by security agencies to disrupt the circulation of counterfeit money, which can affect businesses and members of the public who unknowingly receive fake notes.
