Multi-Agency Raid Nets Suspected Counterfeit Alcohol in Lower Eastern Crackdown

A multi-agency enforcement team has dealt a major blow to the counterfeit alcohol trade in the Lower Eastern Region after raiding a depot and seizing a large consignment of suspected illicit alcoholic products.
The operation, conducted by officers from the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), National Police Service (NPS), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is part of an intensified crackdown on the manufacture, distribution, and sale of counterfeit alcohol in the region.
During the raid, the team recovered 1,625 bottles of suspected counterfeit Apple Ice Vodka, Trigger Spirit at the depot. Officers also impounded a vehicle believed to have been used in the transportation and distribution of the products.

Preliminary examination revealed multiple red flags associated with counterfeiting, including suspected fake KRA excise stamps, irregular packaging, evidence of bottle refilling, and tamper seals inconsistent with genuine products.
The seized goods were taken to Kunza Police Station, where they are being held pending forensic analysis and the conclusion of investigations.
Speaking after the operation, ACA Lower Eastern Regional Head Martin Luther said the seizure highlights the growing threat posed by counterfeit alcohol to consumers and the economy.
“This is not just an enforcement issue; it is a public health concern of the highest order. Counterfeit alcohol exposes consumers to unknown substances, unsafe production standards and potentially fatal consequences. The findings from this operation are deeply concerning because they show how such products can be packaged and distributed in a way that misleads consumers while putting their health at risk. Our focus remains on protecting the public from harm, dismantling the networks behind these illegal products, and intensifying joint operations to ensure such goods are intercepted before they reach the market,”
The suspect,has been served with a Notice of Offence and is under investigation. He is expected to face charges under the Anti-Counterfeit Act, the Excise Duty Act, 2015, and other applicable laws.
The latest seizure underscores the continued resolve of enforcement agencies to protect public health, defend legitimate trade, and curb the circulation of counterfeit goods in the market.
Members of the public have been urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious alcoholic products or any suspected counterfeit goods to the nearest enforcement agency.