NACADA busts counterfeit alcohol ring in Trans Nzoia

Authorities have dismantled a major counterfeit alcohol operation in Ngonyek, Trans Nzoia County, seizing more than 400 litres of industrial ethanol and arresting three people in a pre-dawn raid on Thursday.

The operation, led by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) with support from the National Police Service and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), uncovered a homestead functioning as a clandestine packaging plant.

Officers recovered hundreds of empty 250ml branded alcohol bottles, thousands of counterfeit packaging cartons, and fake KRA excise stamps, which represent millions of shillings in lost tax revenue.

NACADA CEO Dr Anthony Omerikwa said the raid followed weeks of surveillance targeting the syndicate.

“The kingpins in the drugs and substance abuse trade in this country continue to fall each day. For every one of them that the government puts behind bars, our society becomes a safer place for our families and our youth,” he said.

Dr Omerikwa noted the location of the illegal operation, between two churches, as a deliberate attempt to avoid detection.

“This homestead, strategically located between two places of worship, provided the perfect cover for these illegal activities. It is a stark reminder that these criminal networks often hide in plain sight, exploiting the trust of the community,” he added.

Residents welcomed the crackdown, citing past incidents where young people fell seriously ill or died after consuming suspected counterfeit alcohol laced with toxic ethanol.

The seized ethanol and packaged products have been taken to a NACADA laboratory for analysis to determine their chemical composition, which will inform prosecution efforts.

The three suspects are in police custody and are expected to face charges including illegal possession and distribution of industrial ethanol, manufacturing counterfeit goods, and defrauding the government through fake excise stamps.