Police have arrested two suspects believed to be part of a cartel selling contraband milk powder at a go godown along Eastern Bypass in Nairobi.
Further, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives recovered 32.5 tonnes of suspected contraband milk powder in the Operations Support Unit (OSU) operation.
The brands of the seized milk powder include, 181 bags of branded Fresh Dairy products of Brookside Uganda, 421 bags of branded Gardo products from New Zealand, and 485 bags of Non-Dairy Creamer products of China.
Others include 56 bags of branded SAMA products from New Zealand, six bags of branded Lato products of Uganda & 289 bags of maize corn starch products from India.
The suspects were identified as Joseph Waweru, who is the main suspect, and Ali Noor, who is reported to be a broker.
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"In the sting operation, an unsuspecting known broker in Eastleigh by the name Ali Noor directed an undercover hawkshaw to Kamakis area along Eastern Bypass, after he (officer) posed as a potential buyer,” DCI said in a statement.
"On arrival, a KBP 480A Mitsubishi truck loaded with an agreed 150 bags each weighing 25Kg arrived. The agreed price was Sh16,500 per bag, translating to Sh2,475,000 in the transaction.”
The truck was reportedly under the escort of the consignment owner, Joseph Waweru who was driving a Toyota Prado Reg. No. KDN 573V is believed to be the main supplier to business people within Nairobi, according to the DCI.
"Other detectives who were stealthily following pounced on the two suspects (Joseph Waweru and Ali Noor) but the youthful truck driver beetled off like a terrified rat," added the DCI.
Upon interrogation, the OSU team managed to trace the godown of the main suspect (Joseph Waweru) which is located at Twin Industrial Park Godowns within Ruai area off Eastern Bypass.
"Gaining access in the presence of the suspect, they recovered another 1150 bags each weighing 25Kg of milk powder (5brands) and 289 bags each weighing 25Kg of Maize corn starch. Also inside the godown was a truck Reg No. KDG 087Z with 17 empty drums suspected to be used to transport Ethanol," added the DCI.
The suspects are in police custody pending arraignment.
