DCI intercept, arrest man linked with sale of fake alcohol brands

Blurred picture of suspect Samuel Kariuki accused of dealing in fake alcohol products. [Image: Courtesy]

 Detectives are holding a 35-year-old man who was arrested while ferrying counterfeit alcohol products to an unknown place within Nairobi.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Samuel Mwangi Kariuki was intercepted and arrested on Park Road, Nairobi, by Special Service Unit officers based at Parklands.

Upon searching his vehicle, the officers found various fake bottle tops for locally retailed alcohol brands.

“Upon searching his vehicle, a Toyota Fielder, the detectives recovered 2000 pieces of Kibao spirit bottle tops and 1000 pieces of Patiala spirit bottle tops,” reads DCI statement.

Officers further revealed that the suspect drove them to his store in Ngara, where they found more fake bottle tops for alcohol brands and fake stickers of Kenya Revenue Authority.

“The suspect was escorted to his store situated at Civil Servant Estate within Ngara where 550 pieces of Napoleon Gold spirit bottle tops, 800 pieces of Konyagi spirit bottle tops, 800 pieces of Kenya cane spirit bottle tops and two rolls of fake Kenya Revenue Authority stickers were recovered.”

Four rolls of tape with London Distillers’ mark and a roll of Mau mist natural spring water label were also recovered in the same store.

The suspect will be charged with forgery and selling counterfeit goods.

The arrest comes in the wake of state warning sale of counterfeit goods.

Recently, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe warned against sale of fake Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) saying that the practice could endanger the lives of Kenyans, especially medics that use them to respond to the pandemic.

Kenya Bureau of Standards also raised a red flag over the influx of substandard hand sanitisers in the market.

KBS signalled some hand sanitisers believed to be failing the quality bar set for the industry.