Police raid illegal gas plant, arrest the owner in Mombasa

A multi-agency team in Mombasa has raided an illegal gas refilling plant and confiscated hundreds of gas cylinders in the Jomvu area.

A woman alleged to own and operate the plant was detained while two guards on-site fled during the Tuesday operation. The suspect is alleged to have a pending court case and is out on bond over a related matter. It is unclear if or when she will be charged for the current crime.

Reports indicate that immediately she was released on bond the first time she was arrested, she shifted to another location where she has been engaging in the illegal business.

The team, led by Jomvu Sub-county Police Commander James Mutua, Deputy County Commissioner Selina Maitha and OCS Paul Chai, stormed the highly guarded yard following a tip-off from the public.

Last August, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority adopted new rules that require all Liquefied Petroleum Gas retailers and wholesalers to acquire a licence from the authority for each business location. Their business shall also be specific to the authorised cylinder brands only.

Anyone contravening the regulations will be fined up to Sh10 million or more, or serve five years imprisonment. They also risk the withdrawal of their licence.