Police Bust Dangerous Illicit Alcohol Den within a Residential House in Kenol area - Murang’a

Police officers from Kenol Police Station have recovered a large cache of contraband goods hidden inside a residential house in Kimorori area, Murang’a South Sub-County, after a tip-off from a concerned house agent.

The recovery followed a report that a tenant, identified as Peter Waembu Waweru, had failed to pay rent for two months before mysteriously disappearing. The house agent grew suspicious after noticing unusual activity around the property, yet the house remained locked and unattended.

Worried about what might be inside, the agent alerted the area sub-chief, who peeped through a window and noticed signs suggesting the premises were being used to produce and package illicit liquor.

Police officers responded quickly and raided the house, where they uncovered a wide range of illegal items believed to be linked to the manufacture and repackaging of counterfeit alcohol. Among the recovered goods were cartons of various vodka brands, including Supa Vodka, Trace Vodka, Lyniber Vodka and Crywan Vodka, some allegedly disguised under different brand names such as Kingston Vodka.

Other items found at the scene included cartons of J-Movers and Rangers Vodka, a carton of UDV Vodka and assorted liquid suspected to be used in brewing illicit alcohol. Police also recovered five sacks containing liquor bottle tops, 15 bags full of empty bottles ready for repackaging and drums and jerrycans believed to have been used to transport ethanol.

In addition, officers seized two alcohol content thermometers and a stash of 1,777 counterfeit Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) stickers.

Investigators later established that the KRA stickers on the recovered packages, as well as those yet to be used, were fake, raising concerns that the products were meant for illegal distribution.

All the seized items have been taken to Kenol Police Station where they are being held as exhibits, as police continue investigations and intensify efforts to trace and arrest the suspect, who is still at large.