41 people arrested as police bust fuel siphoning syndicate

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested 41 people caught trading at an illegal fuel siphoning site along Lunga Road in Makadara, Nairobi.

The operation, spearheaded by the DCI's Operation Support Unit and conducted behind a Shell petrol station off Lunga Road, unveiled a sophisticated network engaged in the adulteration of fuel.

"Five tankers found at the site where over 17,020 litres of diesel, 6,110 litres of petrol, four generators, 30 drums, siphoning pipes and jerry cans were recovered have also been impounded, with DCI Crime Scene Investigators and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) officials documenting the scene," the DCI said in an X statement on Friday night.

"In the yard were two petroleum trailers registration numbers KDC 633J/ZG 5690 and KDB 548X/ZG 6131 both loaded with petroleum products, but whose three compartment were without security seals."  

Detectives similarly impounded an Isuzu tanker Reg. No. KAJ 450J and two Mitsubishi tankers Reg. No. KAQ 518U and KAV 362M at the location.

The vehicles were loaded with petroleum that detectives believe was siphoned from the aforementioned trailers.

"A KBQ 414A Nissan Sunny car loaded with 50 litres of petrol was also detained," said the DCI.

Documents recovered at the scene likewise revealed that the adulterated fuel consignment was destined for a petrol station in Thika.

"According to documents found in one of the trailers, the fuel was from the shell depot destined for New Gatitu Shell petrol station in Thika," said the DCI.

The suspects will remain in custody pending arraignment on Monday, April 15.