18 suspects arrested as DCI exposes organized crime ring in multi-million tax evasion plot

The arrests on Monday follow days of high-level surveillance, according to a media statement by DCI. 

The suspects were apprehended while allegedly unloading a shipment of fabrics en route from Mombasa to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 

According to the DCI, the arrest last evening was the result of a thorough investigation conducted by the elite Operation Support Unit (OSU).

The unit had been tracking a suspected ring of organized criminals who were falsely declaring goods as exports but diverting them into the domestic market.

“In a classic case of impunity and conspiracy with rogue government officials, the trailer carrying the consignment was spotted changing its original registration plates from KBT 641G/ZD3436 to KBY 548K at the Machakos Junction,” the DCI reported.

The vehicle’s Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) had also been tampered with before the truck proceeded toward Nairobi.

The operation became more suspicious when the trailer made several stops around the capital, seemingly to see if the tampering had been discovered.

It then traveled to Mai Mahiu, where the driver, with the help of an accomplice, applied stickers to further conceal the truck’s identity.

The vehicle eventually arrived at the KBS parking lot in Eastleigh, where offloading began—only to be quickly interrupted by the arriving detectives. Among those arrested were the truck’s driver, Meshack Leo, and two store owners, Yusuf Mohammed Noor and Abdi Nasir Dur.

Preliminary investigations revealed that this syndicate had been investigated by both the DCI and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Investigations Department. 

It was found that the group had previously diverted five other trucks carrying similar consignments linked to the same consignee, Kasdama Kasongo Francois of the DRC.

Authorities believe the network is part of a larger criminal network that has perfected the art of compromising RECTS officers and those assigned to monitor the transit corridor.

By interfering with the tracking system and bribing officials, they avoid detection and evade massive tax obligations.

Notably, imported textiles are subject to higher tax rates in Kenya, making the evasion scheme especially costly to the government in terms of revenue loss.