Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested 18 suspects at a godown in Eastleigh, Nairobi, for allegedly offloading a consignment of fabrics falsely declared for export.
The operation, carried out by officers from the elite Operation Support Unit (OSU), followed days of surveillance on an organized crime syndicate suspected of tax fraud.
The suspects reportedly diverted goods that were supposed to be in transit from the port of Mombasa to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to investigators, the trailer carrying the consignment (Reg. No. KBT 641G/ZD3436) was observed changing its registration plates to KBY 548K at Machakos Junction.
The suspects also tampered with the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) to avoid detection before continuing toward Nairobi.
The vehicle made several stops in the capital before proceeding to Mai Mahiu, where its identity was further disguised with additional stickers. It later arrived at the KBS parking yard in Eastleigh, where offloading began.
DCI officers then moved in and arrested the suspects, including the driver, Meshack Leo, and two store owners, Yusuf Mohammed Noor and Abdi Nasir Dur.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the same syndicate is under scrutiny by the DCI and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for previously diverting five trucks with similar consignments linked to a consignee, Kasdama Kasongo Francois of DRC.
Authorities believe the group has been manipulating RECTS officials to facilitate illegal diversions along the transit corridor.
Textile imports attract high tax rates, and by falsely declaring goods as exports, the cartel is suspected of evading substantial tax payments, leading to significant revenue losses for the government.
The crime scene is currently under forensic examination as investigations continue.
