190 bags of illegal sugar seized in two-day raid in Kisii

Police in Kisii on Tuesday have seized more than 15, 000kg of contraband sugar from distributors and traders.

Four suspects have also been arrested in relation to the sugar which is suspected to be unfit for human consumption.

Kisii Central police boss Francis Nguli said Tuesday’s haul is in addition to the 185 bags seized on Monday.

“Today, we have netted 105 bags of 50 kilograms each, another 85 of 25 kilograms each and 400 packets of 2 kilograms each during our impromptu raid,” he said.

He said the consignment is part of the countrywide sugar netted in the country in an operation against contraband goods in the Kenyan market.

“We are keen to get rid of sugar that is not fit for human consumption. We have stepped up our surveillance,” he said.

The operation is being conducted by a contingent of officers from the regular police, Administration Police, Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the office of the county commissioner.

On Monday, security officers seized 185 bags of the illegal sugar from Kisii Discount Stores.

But the shop owner, Mr Patel Bhagat, said he was shocked that the sugar was being termed contraband. Mr Bhagat told police he bought the product from Sukari Industries in Ndhiwa, Homa Bay County and Trans Mara Sugar Company in Narok County.

Mr Nguli said that samples of the sugar have been taken to Kenya Bureau of Standards and the Government Chemist for analysis.

“This is to determine whether the product is fit for human consumption. If the result turns positive, we will proceed to the manufacturing plants where the sugar was obtained from,” he said.

He urged members of public to continue being vigilant.