Two in court for possession of contraband milk powder

Dahir Ahmed Hassan and Abdifitah Ahmed Dahir were apprehended by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) when the illegal consignment was found stashed in 408 bags.

Appearing before the Milimani law courts, the duo was accused of being in possession of uncustomed goods, importing dairy produce without a valid license issued by the Kenya Dairy Board, and failing to pay import levy to the Kenya Dairy Board.

This comes amid a crackdown on the sale of contraband milk powder which seems to have been on a rising trajectory.

On January 6, five other suspects linked to the sale of contraband milk powder were arrested in Eastleigh, Nairobi.

Following an undercover operation, 25 kilograms of cream milk powder branded Fresh Dairy product of Brookside Uganda was recovered covered in sacks alongside 77 containers of Aptamil breast milk product of the United Kingdom each weighing 800 grams. Some of the milk powder was said to have contained fungi.

Twenty containers of Nestle Nan Optripo product from Mexico each weighing 400 grams were also recovered.

A further probe is underway to apprehend the suspected ring leader.

The arrest came barely two days after another two suspects were arrested in possession of 32.5 tonnes of suspected contraband milk powder at a godown located along the Eastern Bypass.

The suspects were identified as Joseph Waweru, the main suspect, and Ali Noor, reported to be a broker.

Items seized at the godown include 181 bags of branded Fresh Dairy of Brookside Uganda, 421 bags branded Gardo of New Zealand, 485 bags of Non Dairy Creamer of China, 56 bags branded Sama of New Zealand, six bags branded Lato product of Uganda and 289 bags of maize corn starch of India.

The suspects were held in police custody awaiting arraignment.