KRA Seizes Counterfeit Alcoholic Products Worth Millions in a Tax Evasion Ring

Efforts to curb illicit business in the country have today bore fruits after a multi-Agency team led Kenya Revenue Authority officials in impounding alcoholic products worth over 10 million shillings.

The alcoholic drinks branded Fiesta Special Ice were in more than 1600 carton boxes with fake excise stamps.

The products packed in 10-litre bottles were seized at a Thika-based plant in Kiambu County.

The raid followed weeks of surveillance and intelligence from hawk eyed multi-agency team after a tip off that a lorry has been transporting spirits bearing suspected fake excise stamps.

The team set a trap for the lorry and after it was intercepted, it emerged that indeed the goods in transit were using fake excise stamps.

The driver of the lorry led the team to the factory where it was discovered that the manufacturer runs two parallel production lines as a way of evading paying taxes.

The officials unearthed that one of the production lines bore KRA excise licenses while the other was concealed in an adjacent building and was operating without an excise license.

Investigations have since commenced and the owner of the factory will be charged with tax evasion.

KRA is now asking businesses to exercise vigilance to ensure that the products they are dealing in are bearing genuine excise stamps.

Further, members of the public are urged to stop consuming counterfeit excise products.

The multi-agency team remains steadfast and committed to the fight against counterfeit products and illicit trade in the country.