Chargers, jerseys, cigarettes, alcohol among Ksh.62M counterfeit goods nabbed by DCI

The inter-agency operation led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) targeted the sale of counterfeit products, illicit alcohol and soft drinks, smuggled cigarettes, self-care products, falsified pharmaceuticals, human trafficking and wildlife-related crimes.

According to the DCI, the three-day operation, dubbed Usalama XII, was conducted in Nairobi, Central, Coast, Rift Valley, Eastern, Nyanza and Western regions.

The exercise resulted in 29 arrests, while officers conducted checks on 198 motor vehicles against INTERPOL databases.

In Nairobi, detectives seized suspected counterfeit consumer goods, electrical accessories and automotive products.

"The seizures included 3,991 suspected counterfeit Samsung and iPhone adapters, 1,963 football jerseys and Adidas balls, beauty products, vehicle spare parts and lubricants," DCI said. 

"Officers also recovered suspected falsified pharmaceuticals and diverted public medical supplies from an unlicensed clinic in Kayole." 

In Eastleigh, bottles of products suspected to contain narcotic or psychotropic substances were seized from a pharmacy for further analysis.

In Westlands, detectives recovered 85 Kenyan passports, work visas and employment contracts, and a suspect was arrested over running an unlicensed recruitment agency.

Elsewhere, three girls were rescued from suspected sexual exploitation in Roysambu, while a separate operation in Gilgil intercepted four Somali nationals believed to be trafficking victims, including two minors.

In Nakuru, officers arrested a suspect found transporting 90,000 sticks of suspected smuggled cigarettes valued at about Ksh.2 million, along with counterfeit excise stamps.

Operations in Central and Nyanza regions also resulted in arrests and the seizure of counterfeit and unmarked alcoholic beverages, as well as suspected counterfeit mobile phones, storage devices and footwear.