Police officers in Busia County have intercepted a lorry carrying a massive consignment of what is believed to be ethanol. The seizure, which took place late Sunday night, June 29, 202, is part of ongoing nationwide efforts to tackle the trade and transport of illegal and dangerous substances.
In a statement on Monday, June 30, 2025, the National Police Service (NPS) said officers from Busia Police Station received a tip-off from members of the public about a suspicious vehicle headed towards the Marach area.
“Police officers from Busia Police Station received information late last night about a lorry suspected of transporting illegal substances,” the NPS said.
Acting on the information, the officers quickly set up an operation and managed to stop the lorry. Upon inspection, they found 35 plastic drums, each carrying about 250 litres, filled with a substance suspected to be ethanol. This adds up to a total of 8,750 litres.
The driver and one passenger were arrested on the spot. Both are now in custody and are expected to be arraigned in court soon. The lorry was taken to the Busia Police Station for further investigation.
“This operation underscores the commitment of the National Police Service to curbing the illegal trade and transport of hazardous substances,” the police added in the statement.
The NPS also praised the role played by members of the public in the successful bust.
“NPS commends members of the public for providing the information that led to the success of the operation.”
Nationwide crackdown intensifies further
This seizure comes amid an intensified national crackdown on illicit alcohol and substances across Kenya. Just last week, police in Kisii and Nairobi destroyed thousands of litres of illegal alcohol, including chang’aa and kangara. In one case, over 10,000 litres of illicit brew were destroyed in Kisii South Sub-County.
In another recent raid near River Chania, officers found and destroyed 360 litres of kangara hidden in bushes. These operations highlight the growing concern over the rising use and distribution of illegal substances in the country.
A recent report by the Alcoholic Beverage Association of Kenya (ABAK) estimates that over 60% of alcohol consumed in Kenya is illicit. Much of it is brewed in unsafe environments and poses serious health risks.
The NPS continues to encourage the public to report suspicious activities, promising full support in protecting the safety and well-being of all Kenyans.
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a digital writer with over five years of experience. He graduated in February 2022 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from The Co-operative University of Kenya. He has written news and feature stories for platforms such as Construction Review Online, Sports Brief, Briefly News, and Criptonizando. In 2023, he completed a course in Digital Investigation Techniques with AFP. He joined K24 Digital in May 2025. For inquiries, he can be reached at [email protected].
