Six suspects linked to the selling of contraband milk powder have been charged at Milimani Law courts and released on bond.
The six Said Ali Yusuf, Abdi Hussein Ibren,Abdinoor Rashid Mursal,Abdirizack Said Ali,Abdirizack Abdikadir and Abdulahi Mohamed.
They have been charged that on January 6, 2024 at Halgan Store in East leigh within Nairobi City, they were found in possession of unaccustomed goods which is 15 bags of 25kgs each of fresh full cream milk powder, 77 tons of Aptamil breast milk powder of 800 grams each and 20 tins of 400 grams of Nan Optipro power milk, all with a dutiable value of Sh 477,666.34.
They faced a second count on importing dairy produce without a valid permit issued by Kenya Dfairy Board contrary to Regulation 6(1) as read with regulations 13 of the dairy industry (imports and exports regulations, 2021.
They were charged that on January 6, 2024 at Halgan Store in Eastleigh within Nairobi County the were found with 15 bags of 25kgs each of fresh full cream milk powder, 77 tons of Aptamil breast milk powder of 800 grams each and 20 tins of 400 grams of Nan Optipro power milk, all with a dutiable value of Sh 477,666.34 without valid permit.
In the last count the six were charged with failing to pay import levy to Kenya Dairy Board contrary to the law.
They were charged on similar dates and places whose import levy was totaling to Sh 25,760 which had been paid contrary to the said regulations.
According to the investigative body, the five were arrested on Saturday in Eastleigh, Nairobi following an undercover operation.
DCI says that they had some of their officers posed as buyers and made a deal with the suspects to buy milk products worth Ksh.815, 000.
The officers, who only had a down payment, are said to have requested the “furious sellers” to let them get the balance which provided leeway to call in their investigative teams and arrest the suspects.
DCI says that 25 kg of cream milk powder branded FRESH DAIRY product of Brookside Uganda was recovered covered in sacks alongside 77 containers of APTAMIL breast milk product of the United Kingdom each weighing 800gm. Some of the milk powder is said to have contained fungi.
Twenty containers of NESTLE NAN OPTIPRO product of Mexico each weighing 400gm were also recovered.
A further probe is underway to apprehend the suspected ringleader.
The arrest comes barely two days after another two suspects were arrested in possession of 32.5 tonnes of suspected contraband milk powder at a godown located along the Eastern Bypass.
The suspects were identified as Joseph Waweru who is the main suspect and Ali Noor who is reported to be a broker.
Items seized at the godown include 181 bags branded Fresh Dairy product of Brookside Uganda, 421 bags branded Gardo product of New Zealand, 485 bags of Non Dairy Creamer product of China, 56 bags branded SAMA product of New Zealand, 6 bags branded Lato product of Uganda & 289 bags of maize corn starch product of India.
The duo are in police custody awaiting arraignment.
They have been released on a Bond of Sh 400,000 each or a cash bail of Sh 100,000 each.
