How DCI Busted Fake Maize Flour Racket in Kasarani, Seizing 3,682 Packets and Arresting 7

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have raided a godown in Kasarani and arrested seven suspects over an alleged counterfeit maize flour operation.

In a statement dated September 15, DCI said the raid was conducted in the Canaan area near Infinity Industrial Park in Kasarani Sub-County following intelligence received by detectives.

According to the DCI, officers discovered a repackaging operation where different maize flour brands were allegedly being repackaged and redistributed using counterfeit labels.

“A slick counterfeit flour racket that has been flooding Kenyan kitchens with fake maize flour has been dismantled after detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) raided a godown in Canaan area, near Infinity Industrial Park in Kasarani Sub-County,” read part of the statement.

Thousands of Counterfeit Flour Packets Seized

During the raid, detectives recovered 3,682 packets of a popular maize flour brand valued at approximately Ksh312,120.

In addition, DCI stated that hundreds of packets bearing the names of three other well-known maize flour brands were recovered, with the total value of the seized counterfeit products running into hundreds of thousands of shillings.

The products were detained as exhibits as investigations continue.

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Detectives also recovered empty packaging materials bearing the branding of several genuine maize flour companies.

A Hyundai lorry, registration number KBR 092K, was allegedly found at the premises being loaded with the suspected illicit products.

Among the other items recovered were industrial processing and packaging machinery, weighing equipment, bag-sealing tools and date and batch marking stamps.

According to the DCI, the equipment was being used to package the suspected counterfeit flour and imprint product information onto the packets.

DCI Arrests Seven As One-Kilogram Packaging Raises Questions

Investigators also raised concerns over discarded one-kilogram packaging that closely resembled the branding of one of the affected maize flour companies.

A representative of the company who visited the scene reportedly confirmed that although the packaging closely resembled the firm’s branding, it may not have been genuine because the company does not manufacture one-kilogram packets.

Representatives of the affected brands have since committed to presenting themselves for verification as investigations into the operation continue.

Also Read: Kagwe Mulls Duty-Free Import of 3 Million Tonnes of Maize Amid Production Crisis

Following the investigation, the  Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has been brought into the investigation to sample and analyse the recovered products.

The analysis is expected to help establish the authenticity of the flour and determine the full extent of the alleged counterfeiting operation.

Meanwhile, seven people were arrested during the operation as detectives dismantled the alleged counterfeit flour syndicate.

Those arrested include Felix Kiprop, an employee of SARA Flour Brand, and Cynthia Nakoli, a salesperson attached to the same brand.

Also arrested were loaders Joseph Kariuki and Victor Omondi Opiyo, driver Daniel Ngugi, as well as Maria Ngui and Samuel Kimilu.

DCI noted that the seven suspects will remain in custody as they undergo processing ahead of arraignment.

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Photo showing the seized equipments by DCI in godown in Kasarani. Photo /DCI