Police in Rongai Sub-county, Nakuru County, have seized more than 990 litres of suspected ethanol, 29 rounds of 9mm ammunition and assorted items believed to be linked to the illegal alcohol trade following a raid at a heavily guarded mansion in Kiamunyi Estate.

A suspect, identified as the owner of the house, was arrested during the operation and is being held to assist police investigations

Rongai Sub-county Police Commander Daniel Birech said the operation was conducted after officers received intelligence reports indicating that the residence had become a restricted compound where neighbours and members of the public were not allowed access.

Rongai Sub-County Police Commander Daniel Birech displays a bulletproof jacket recovered during a raid at a mansion in Kiamunyi Estate, where police also seized over 990 litres of suspected ethanol, 29 rounds of 9mm ammunition and other exhibits

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/ MTAA WANGU

Acting on the tip-off, police officers from the National Police Service, accompanied by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Administration Police officers, raided the premises and recovered a large cache of items.

"Among the exhibits were 33 containers each holding 30 litres of liquid suspected to be ethanol, amounting to about 990 litres. Officers also recovered 30 empty jerrycans, which they believe had been emptied into a septic tank moments before the officer’s gained entry into the compound," Birech explained.

Mr Birech said police further recovered hundreds of empty 250-millilitre bottles, assorted bottle caps and stickers bearing popular alcohol brand names including Best Gin, Fodder, Magic, Time and Patiala. Investigators also recovered Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) stickers suspected to have been used to disguise counterfeit alcoholic products as genuine.

"We believe the suspect was using these materials to package and distribute illicit alcoholic drinks while deceiving consumers that they were legitimate products," said Birech.

A raid at a mansion in Kiamunyi Estate leads to police seizing over 990 litres of suspected ethanol in containers which they suspect is repackaged and sold in the market

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/ MTAA WANGU

The raid also uncovered security-related items, including a magazine for a Ceska pistol loaded with 29 rounds of 9mm ammunition, an empty magazine, a bulletproof vest, a rifle cleaning kit complete with accessories and pistol holsters.

Birech said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was previously a licensed firearm holder but had reportedly surrendered the firearm. However, police are investigating why he remained in possession of the magazine, ammunition and firearm accessories.

"We are trying to establish how the suspect surrendered the firearm but still retained the magazine and other related equipment. The DCI is investigating whether any criminal activities are connected to these recoveries," he said.

Some of the exhibits recovered during a raid at a mansion in Kiamunyi Estate, where police recovered, 29 rounds of 9mm ammunition and other exhibits.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/ MTAA WANGU

The suspect, identified as Joffrey Mureidi Kirinya, is assisting investigators as police work with relevant government agencies to determine whether the recovered liquid is indeed ethanol and to establish the value of the seized goods.

Police escort the suspected owner of a mansion in Kiamunyi Estate, Rongai, Nakuru County, after a raid uncovered over 990 litres of suspected ethanol, 29 rounds of 9mm ammunition, KRA stickers and a bulletproof jacket. He is expected to be arraigned as investigations continue

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/ MTAA WANGU

Authorities have also appealed to members of the public to continue sharing information that can help dismantle criminal networks involved in the manufacture and distribution of illicit alcohol and other illegal activities.

wanjirukinuthia20@gmail.com

Police impound over 990 litres of ethanol, rounds of ammunition from mansion in Kiamunyi

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