KRA Intercepts Simba Coach Carrying Smuggled Goods Worth Ksh 46.7 Million

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intercepted a Simba Coach bus suspected of being used to transport smuggled cigarettes, shisha tobacco products, and powdered milk worth Ksh46.77 million.

In a public notice dated September 18, KRA said the interception followed an intelligence-led operation targeting a suspected smuggling operation along the Uganda-Kenya route, estimated to have exposed the government to Ksh29.177 million in taxes at risk.

“Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) enforcement officers have intercepted a consignment of smuggled cigarettes, shisha tobacco products and powdered milk with an estimated market value of KSh46.77 million with tax computation indicating an estimated KSh29.177 million in taxes at risk,” KRA stated.

KRA Tracks Suspected Smuggler Along Uganda-Kenya Route

According to the authority, the operation followed intelligence concerning a suspected smuggler who had allegedly evaded enforcement officers on several previous occasions.

The intelligence indicated that the suspect was using a Simba Coach passenger bus as cover to transport excisable products sourced from Uganda through porous border routes.

KRA noted that the goods were reportedly taken to a pick-up point in Busia, from where they were transported towards Nairobi.

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Acting on the intelligence, KRA enforcement officers mounted an ambush in Eldoret town, targeting the suspect and the vehicle believed to be involved in the smuggling operation.

The authority said the suspect fled after noticing the enforcement team, prompting officers to mount a pursuit.

However, the officers eventually caught up with and detained the suspect at Kondoo, within the Burnt Forest area, as the passenger bus was escorted back to Eldoret and deposited at a KRA warehouse for further inspection.

“However, upon noticing the enforcement team, the suspect fled, prompting officers to mount a pursuit. The officers eventually caught up with and detained the suspect at Kondoo, within the Burnt Forest area,” KRA stated.

Concealed Compartments Found Inside Bus

Following a thorough search of the bus, the authority revealed that concealed compartments were found within the vehicle, believed to have been used to hide the suspected smuggled goods.

As a result, KRA said the concealment of the products in specially configured compartments points to the increasingly sophisticated methods being used to evade detection along major transportation corridors.

According to the authority, the intercepted consignment included ORIS cigarette products valued at approximately Ksh30.6 million, 146 cartons of ORIS Double Apple Slim, with each carton containing 10,000 sticks, and cigarettes valued at approximately Ksh 29.2 million.

The operation also resulted in the interception of shisha tobacco products and accessories valued at approximately Ksh8.398 million.

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KRA said the recovered items included 59 boxes of AFRAH Tobacco Mint flavour (AL-SULTAN) and 118 cartons of ALFAKHER Mint flavour as well as shisha filters, pots, and bowls as part of the consignment.

In addition to the tobacco products, officers recovered powdered milk products estimated to be worth Ksh7.768 million, comprising 100 cartons of LATO Whole Milk Powder, with each carton containing 12 pieces.

They also recovered 199 cartons of NAN Optipro 1&2, with each carton containing 12 pieces.

Furthermore, KRA said it continues to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance, and enforcement operations to detect and disrupt smuggling networks.

The authority said the efforts are aimed at preventing the entry and distribution of illicit goods in the Kenyan market while protecting public health, legitimate businesses from unfair competition, and government revenue.

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Photo showing the intercepted good by KRA . Photo/ KRA