NACADA Busts Sh16m Counterfeit Alcohol Syndicate in Nyamira
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has dismantled a major counterfeit alcohol syndicate in Nyamira County, seizing contraband with an estimated street value of Sh16 million. The multi-agency operation, which also involved the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the police, targeted a sophisticated network involved in the production and distribution of fake branded spirits and illicit liquors.
According to NACADA officials, the raid uncovered a hidden production line where the suspects were refilling bottles of popular legitimate brands with a toxic, illicitly brewed mixture. The seizure included thousands of counterfeit labels, empty bottles, sealing equipment, and hundreds of crates of the finished product ready for distribution to bars and retail outlets across the region. Several suspects were arrested during the operation.
The bust is a significant victory in the fight against second-generation alcohol, which poses severe health risks to consumers. NACADA has warned bar owners and retailers against stocking the illicit products, noting that the crackdown will continue. The suspects are expected to be charged with several offenses, including the manufacture and sale of counterfeit goods and tax evasion.