1500 sachets of illicit liquor seized in coffin at Malava border

Police at Malava border on Monday impounded illegal liquor (Waragi) that was nabbed in a coffin being transported on a pick-up worth millions of money.
Busia county commissioner Emmanuel Odhiambo said the capsule Pick up carrying about 1,500 sachets of foreign liquor was on its way to Nairobi from Mbale through Malava on Nairobi/Malava highway.
The police team intercepted the vehicle after they had got information that smugglers will smuggle liquor sachets in a coffin instead of normal crates.
Odhiambo said the Pick-up driver was asked to drive the car to the police check post barrier for verification of the documents before they are allowed to pass. It was at that point when the police succumbed to the illicit brew.

The police officer said the vehicle passed through Tororo town,Nagongera, Mulanda  town, Kisoko and Osukuru before reaching Malava border and No one noticed what the culprits were transporting.

It must be mentioned that sale of illicit liquor is banned in Kenya, the police and excise department under KRA had confiscated liquor consignments being transported to Bungoma along the same route early this year.
In similar case Police in Mt. Elgon Sub-County over the last two months have arrested over 40 people and impounded at least 2,800 litres of illicit local brew popularly known as busaa and another over 200 litres of the potent chang’aa brew, as law enforcers in the region step up the fight against illicit brews.

A major crackdown on the menace was launched in the two districts of Cheptais and Mt. Elgon in Bungoma County.

Mt. Elgon Divisional officer Philip Mbuvi said the war against illegal brews is still ongoing and warned those engaging in the vice that they will be dealt with accordingly.

Mbuvi said the operation has largely been successful because it has jointly been carried out by police officers and members of the local provincial administration.

“Village elders, assistant chiefs and chiefs have assisted in mapping the areas regarded major brewing hotspots, in their jurisdiction, it’s only a matter of time before security officers descend on all these areas,” said Mbuvi, who revealed that the major hotspots include Kongit, Kaptelelio, Bugaa and Kibuk areas.

According to the D.O  over 1 000 litres of busaa, 100 litres of chang’aa and 300 litres of Kangara that is used to make chang’aa  have so far been impounded by the police in Mt. Elgon District.
20 people from Kaptama and Kapsokwony Divisions that make up illict brew in the district have been arrested and taken to court.

Independent investigations have established that chang’aa drink that is packed in clear paper bags and sold in Busia and Bungoma County’s is majorly sourced from Uganda.