Police impound 500 bags of contraband sugar in Isiolo

The contraband sugar which was impounded by police in Isiolo on Saturday January 16, 2016. It is believed to have have been illegally imported from Dubai and destined for Nairobi. PHOTO | VIVIAN JEBET | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The sugar was seized in Baasa Location, Merti Sub-County, about 200 kilometres from Isiolo Town.
  • Baasa Location chief had raised an alert about the suspected smugglers who drove through a bush to avoid arrest along Isiolo-Merti road.
  • The sugar enters Somalia through Kismayu, Mogadishu and Basaso ports for onward transit to Kenya.

Police in Isiolo Saturday evening impounded 500 bags of contraband sugar suspected to have been illegally imported form Dubai and destined for Nairobi.

According to Isiolo County Commissioner George Natembeya, the officers intercepted a lorry transporting the imported sugar packed in 50kg bags.

The sugar was seized in Baasa Location, Merti Sub-County, about 200 kilometres from Isiolo Town.

Baasa Location chief had raised an alert about the suspected smugglers who drove through a bush to avoid arrest along Isiolo-Merti road.

Normally, the smuggled sugar originates from Brazil or Pakistan through Dubai.

It enters Somalia through Kismayu, Mogadishu and Basaso ports for onward transit to Kenya.

Mr Natembeya further added that millions of shillings in revenue would have been lost by the government if the sugar was to be dumped in the Kenyan market.

“Such activities should be thoroughly investigated. They might be funding militant groups,” said the county commissioner.

He urged police manning roadblocks to be vigilant and warned unscrupulous importers that they will face the law.

Both the driver and the turn-boy of the lorry were arrested.

The owner of the consignment is being sought by police.

He said Kenya Revenue Authority officials had been contacted to assess the luggage.