Police in Busia County have intercepted a lorry loaded with a large consignment of suspected illegal ethanol concealed beneath wheat bran sacks during a targeted operation conducted on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
According to a statement from the National Police Service (NPS), issued on Thursday, June 19, 2025, the operation was carried out in Malaba town, where officers flagged down a suspicious lorry.
“POLICE INTERCEPT UNCUSTOMED GOODS IN BUSIA Today, 19 June 2025, police officers conducted a targeted operation in Malaba town, Busia County. During the operation, officers flagged down a lorry,” the NPS statement read.
However, upon being stopped, the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.
“The driver, upon being stopped, abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene,” NPS added.
The lorry was immediately towed to Malaba Police Station, where a multi-agency team comprising officers from various security units conducted a thorough search of the cargo.
Upon inspection, officers discovered 32 drums, each suspected to contain 250 litres of ethanol, cleverly hidden beneath 52.5 white sacks of what appeared to be wheat bran.
“The lorry was towed to Malaba Police Station, where a multi-agency team conducted a search. Upon inspection, officers discovered 32 drums, each suspected to contain 250 litres of ethanol, concealed beneath 52.5 white sacks of suspected wheat bran,” NPS added.
Both the lorry and the entire consignment were secured at the station as investigations commenced.
Authorities have confirmed that efforts are currently underway to trace and apprehend the driver who remains at large.
The NPS has reiterated its commitment to protecting the country from the infiltration of uncustomed and illegal goods, noting that such operations are part of broader efforts to dismantle smuggling networks operating across Kenya’s borders.
“The National Police Service remains committed to protecting and serving the public,” the statement read, adding that operations targeting illegal trade and tax evasion will continue across the country.
Similar bust
The bust comes just months after another truck driver was arrested and placed in police custody for illegally transporting ethanol along the Nakuru–Nairobi highway.
The arrest was made during an intelligence-led operation carried out by a multi-agency team.
The operation, which involved detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters and officers from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Investigations and Enforcement Department, intercepted two tanker trucks carrying ethanol. The trucks were found parked in a garage in the Limuru Kamiruthu area.
According to a statement shared by the DCI on August 28, 2024, the operation was prompted by a tip-off regarding the two tanker trucks, with registration numbers KBJ 745M and KAK 903S, allegedly transporting ethanol from Mai Mahiu to Nairobi.
“Acting on a tip-off regarding tanker trucks with the registration numbers KBJ 745M and KAK 903S transporting ethanol from Mai Mahiu to Nairobi, the multi-agency team promptly located the tankers parked in a garage in the Limuru Kamiruthu area. One driver, Edward Nandwa Otundo, was arrested, while the other managed to evade capture,” DCI stated.
The arrested driver, identified as Edward Nandwa Otundo, was taken into custody, while the second driver managed to evade capture.
The apprehended driver was transported to Capitol Hill Police Station, where he is being processed and will face charges in court.
“The arrested driver was taken to Capitol Hill Police Station for processing pending arraignment, while both lorries are being securely guarded at the garage by officers as the search for the elusive driver is underway,” the statement by DCI read further.
