Police in Murang’a on Monday impounded thousands of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) stickers in a liquor outlet at Kambiti shopping centre.
During the crackdown coordinated by the County Police Commander David Mathiu, the officers further confiscated 54 crates of assorted counterfeit alcoholic drinks which were hidden in a residential house.
The rolls of the stickers were found in a wines and spirit outlet with the owner alleging they were supplied by KRA.
The county police commander who led a multi-agency team during the crackdown, claimed the stickers were meant to be used in labelling the contraband alcoholic drinks in order to hoodwink consumers and security agents about legitimacy.
Mathiu noted that the raid was prompted by information they got from members of the public who claimed the outlet had been selling counterfeit alcoholic brands.
Brands of the assorted alcohol impounded included santa king, triger, spiriters among others.
Mathiu stated that crackdown against illicit and contraband liquor will continue in all the sub counties saying so far they have managed to confiscate and destroy thousands litres of the outlawed brews.
He underscored the import of the crackdown on brews saying it has managed to reduce criminal activities and anti-social behaviour especially among the young people.
“We are going to investigate and establish the source of the KRA stickers since we want to know whether they are genuine or not and find out what the owner of the outlet was intending to do with them.
“The confiscated counterfeit brews will be destroyed as the suspect is arraigned in court,” he added.
The commander lauded the public and local political leaders for their support to eradicate the menace saying the war against drugs and alcoholism must be won.
Elsewhere, at Kangema shopping centre, police intercepted 73 crates of counterfeit liquor known as Banana.
The liquor was trading for Sh40 per half-litre bottle among other contrabands, including 21 kilos of bhang.
Mathui said the police recovered the liquors from two vehicles upon receiving a tip off from the public.
“The intercepted vehicles are currently held at Kangema police stations as investigations are ongoing,” added the commander.
MCAs from the Central Kenya region, on Friday met the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and pledged to support strategies employed to reclaim the youth indulging in alcoholism.
By Bernard Munyao
