- Hawk-eyed KRA officials, working in tandem with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), uncovered an intricate smuggling operation that saw ethanol worth Ksh 29 million disguised as molasses
- The operation, which took place between August 25 and 28, 2024, involved two tanker trucks with hidden compartments filled with ethanol, cleverly concealed under a thin layer of molasses
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have uncovered a complex smuggling racket where suspects used molasses to hide nearly 41,000 liters of ethanol, in a high-stakes operation that reads like a crime novel.
The cleverly concealed consignment, valued at Ksh 29 million, highlights the audacity and creativity of unscrupulous traders determined to dodge taxes and flood the market with illegal products.
The joint operation, which ran from August 25 to August 28, 2024, zeroed in on two tanker trucks transporting what appeared to be harmless molasses from a neighboring country.
Follow our Facebook page for more updates:
However, beneath the sticky, syrupy substance lay the real cargo—ethanol hidden in specially designed compartments.
These secret sections of the tankers, filled with the illicit substance, could only be accessed through concealed pipes.
Meanwhile, the truck’s valves were designed to drain just enough molasses to avoid suspicion at border checks.
The plan unraveled at Limuru, where KRA’s sharp-eyed investigators, working on intelligence reports, flagged down the tankers and subjected them to detailed scans.
The results confirmed their suspicions: while one of the trucks carried only 2,720 liters of molasses, the majority of the payload—over 40,000 liters—was ethanol, stashed away with expert precision.
KRA’s Investigations and Enforcement Commissioner expressed concern over the elaborate methods used, describing the tactic as one of many employed by cartels to smuggle ethanol into Kenya.
Ethanol, commonly used in the production of counterfeit alcoholic drinks, not only disrupts the legitimate alcohol market but also poses severe health risks to unsuspecting consumers.
Read Also:
1: KRA Extends Working Hours To Midnight Ahead of Tax Filing Deadline
2: Government Grants KRA Access to M-Pesa, Bank Accounts
This isn’t the first time authorities have grappled with such schemes.
In 2023, KRA impounded at least 60,000 liters of smuggled ethanol.
These illegal activities have cost the Kenyan government millions in lost revenue, with this particular bust alone averting a tax loss of Ksh 20.5 million.
Authorities arrested one of the tanker drivers involved in this latest operation, who is currently being held at Capitol Hill police station.
Follow our Facebook page for more updates:
The hunt for the other driver and the owner of the consignment continues, with law enforcement agencies vowing to dismantle the entire operation.
As the investigation deepens, KRA has emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among law enforcement agencies and the public.
The commissioner called on citizens to report any suspicious activities, reiterating the government’s commitment to combating illicit trade that undermines public safety and the economy.
