Detectives have arrested 29 suspects and recovered goods valued at more than KSh 62.7 million in a nationwide crackdown targeting counterfeit products, smuggled goods, illicit alcohol, suspected trafficking networks and wildlife-related offences.
The three-day operation, dubbed Usalama XII, was conducted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in partnership with INTERPOL and several law enforcement and regulatory agencies across seven regions of Kenya. According to the DCI, the intelligence-led operation covered Nairobi, Central, Coast, Rift Valley, Eastern, Nyanza and Western regions, targeting criminal networks suspected of engaging in activities that threaten public safety, consumer protection and national security.
The operation brought together agencies including the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Pharmacy and Poisons Board and specialised police units dealing with organised crime, narcotics and human trafficking. Authorities also conducted 198 motor vehicle checks against INTERPOL databases, rescued seven people suspected to be victims of human trafficking and recovered 85 Kenyan passports from a recruitment agency suspected of operating illegally.
In Nairobi, detectives seized suspected counterfeit electrical accessories, consumer goods and automotive products worth millions of shillings. The recovered items included 3,991 suspected counterfeit Samsung and iPhone adapters, 1,963 football jerseys and Adidas-branded balls, beauty products, vehicle spare parts and lubricants. Officers also discovered suspected falsified medicines and diverted public medical supplies at an unlicensed clinic in Kayole.
Separately, detectives from the National Anti-Narcotic Investigations Bureau seized several bottles of products suspected to contain narcotic or psychotropic substances from a pharmacy in Eastleigh for laboratory analysis.
The crackdown also targeted suspected human trafficking and exploitation networks.
In Westlands, detectives arrested a suspect at a recruitment agency allegedly operating without the required licence. Officers recovered 85 Kenyan passports, work visas and employment contracts during the operation. In Roysambu, three girls were rescued from suspected sexual exploitation. Another operation in Gilgil led to the interception of four Somali nationals suspected to be victims of human trafficking, including two minors.
In Nakuru, officers arrested a suspect found transporting 90,000 sticks of suspected smuggled cigarettes valued at approximately KSh 2 million. Counterfeit excise stamps were also recovered. Additional enforcement operations in Central and Nyanza regions resulted in arrests and seizures involving suspected counterfeit and unmarked alcoholic beverages. Detectives also recovered suspected counterfeit mobile phones, storage devices and footwear as investigations expanded to other targeted locations.
The operation extended to suspected environmental and wildlife offences, with Kenya Wildlife Service officers recovering animal products, illegal fishing equipment and materials suspected to have been obtained through unlawful activities.
In Tana River, officers recovered 37.5 kilogrammes of dik-dik carcasses, while approximately 40 kilogrammes of similar carcasses were seized at Kuranze Ranch. Authorities also recovered four kilogrammes of zebra meat in Tsavo East, 1,500 cedar posts in Narok and 75 mangrove rafters in Malindi. At Lake Nakuru National Park, officers seized 552.3 kilogrammes of fish and arrested nine suspects. Other recovered items included an illegal fishing boat, fishing nets and hunting equipment allegedly linked to wildlife offences.
Meanwhile, vehicle verification exercises conducted in Mombasa and other participating regions recorded 198 checks against INTERPOL databases, with no adverse findings reported in the specified verification exercises.
The DCI said investigations into the seized goods and arrested suspects were ongoing, including forensic examination of suspected psychoactive substances and verification of counterfeit products. Further inquiries are also being conducted into suspected illegal recruitment, human trafficking, pharmaceutical offences, illicit alcohol distribution and wildlife-related crimes.
The operation was coordinated through the National Central Bureau and the DCI headquarters, with investigators expected to pursue additional leads arising from the seizures and arrests. The DCI said the coordinated enforcement effort was aimed at disrupting organised criminal networks, protecting consumers and legitimate businesses, safeguarding vulnerable people and strengthening the protection of Kenya’s wildlife and natural resources.
The authorities have not indicated whether the suspects have been formally charged in court.
