Sh10 million counterfeit cigarettes impounded

By Standard Reporter

A total of 284 cartons of counterfeit "supermatch" cigarettes smuggled from Uganda valued at Sh10 million have been impounded at Malaba and Eldoret.

In Malaba, Teso North District Officer Luis Rono, acting on a tip off, impounded 20 cartons that were packed near the banks of River Malaba, waiting to be ferried into the country.

The consignment was later handed over to the Kenya Revenue Authority officials in Malaba.

In Eldoret, a special police unit raided a residence in Langas estate where they impounded 264 cartons of counterfeit ‘supermatch’ cigarettes that were found stocked in the store.

A Security Officer for Mastermind Tobacco Kenya in charge of North Rift Region, Zedekiah Anusu said the police arrested two people believed to be workers at the store, whose owner is still at large. He is suspected to be behind the smuggling racket affecting Busia and malaba border points.

KRA officials said the contraband originated from Uganda and is believed to have entered the country through unauthorised border entry points.

Dumping in Kenya

The incident comes barely two weeks after KRA officials at the Malaba Border point impounded a Ugandan lorry loaded with counterfeit "supermatch" cigarettes from Uganda meant for dumping in the local market.

The lorry was impounded by Uganda Revenue Authority officials who then handed it over to Kenya Revenue Authority officers.

Mastermind Tobacco Kenya head of corporate affairs Josh Kirimania has in the past condemned rampant smuggling of counterfeit cigarettes from Uganda, which he said were seriously damaging sales of original supermatch cigarettes in Kenya.

He said the company has incurred numerous losses due to proliferation of counterfeit cigarettes into the country through the porous borders.