Police impound contraband cigarettes worth Sh2 million

Cigarettes seized by Police on Tuesday at Ndengelwa Roadblock along the Webuye-Malaba highway. [Willy Khaemba, Standard]

Bungoma police yesterday impounded a vehicle that was transporting contraband cigarettes valued at Sh2 million.

The officers deflated the tyres of the Uganda-bound car at Ndengelwa police check along Webuye -Malaba highway after the driver allegedly refused to stop.

Bungoma South assistant police commander Patrick Gogo said they arrested the driver of the vehicle and seized the contraband cigarettes. 

He said that police became suspicious when they saw the speeding vehicle approach the roadblock with the driver ignoring the officers.

"The driver violated the traffic laws and the police had no option but to deflate the tyres to make him stop and on searching the vehicle, the officers found the cigarettes."

The driver identified as Joseph Karanja, 32, was arrested and taken to Bungoma police station.

Mr Gogo said the suspect was helping the police with investigations and that he will be arraigned soon.

The police boss said the officers will embark on a crackdown on Webuye-Malaba highway to identify those violating the law.