Two Suspects Caught After Smuggling 1.5 Tonnes of Sugar Into Kenya

Two suspects are in police custody after officers in Busia intercepted a vehicle transporting uncustomed sugar allegedly smuggled into Kenya through an ungazetted border route on September 22.

The suspects, identified as Abdi Ahmed, 31, and Said Mustafa, 24, were arrested after police officers patrolling the Velasco area in Busia Township stopped their Toyota Probox, registration number KDJ 561V.

Police said officers searched the vehicle and recovered 30 bags of sugar, each weighing 50 kilograms. The consignment had a total weight of 1,500 kilograms, equivalent to 1.5 tonnes.

According to police, the sugar had been brought into the country through an unmanned entry point along the Kenya-Uganda border instead of a designated border crossing.

The two men were subsequently arrested and taken into police custody.

Uncustomed Sugar and Vehicle Booked at Station

Police booked both the vehicle and the recovered sugar at Busia Police Station as investigations continue. The suspects are undergoing processing and are expected to be arraigned in court.

The seizure forms part of intensified police patrols along the Kenya-Uganda border, where authorities continue to target routes allegedly used by smugglers to evade customs procedures and taxation.

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DCI Uncovers Sugar Repackaging Syndicate

The latest seizure comes days after detectives in Bungoma uncovered a suspected illegal sugar repackaging syndicate during an intelligence-led crackdown on uncustomed goods.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), officers from the Operations Support Unit and DCI Bungoma South raided a premises linked to Paul Mwangi at Bukembe Shopping Centre in Bungoma South Sub-County on August 26, 2026.

Detectives recovered 76 bags of 50kg West Valley Sugar, nine bags of sugar that had already been repackaged in Chinese-branded sacks and 10 empty 50kg bags bearing the Mayuge Sugar brand, a Ugandan brand.

The officers also searched a white Nissan Vanette, registration number KDG 347E, associated with Mwangi and recovered another 26 bags of West Valley Sugar.

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More Sugar Found in Godown

Detectives later searched a godown owned by Mwangi, where they recovered 98 additional bags of 50kg West Valley Sugar. The officers also found 1,700 empty 50kg bags bearing the West Valley Sugar brand.

The DCI said Crime Scene Investigation officers processed and documented the scene, while detectives secured all the recovered exhibits as investigations continued.

Mwangi remained in custody as detectives worked to establish the extent of the suspected operation and trace its supply and distribution networks.

The DCI said it remains focused on “protecting consumers, safeguarding legitimate businesses and dismantling criminal networks dealing in uncustomed and illicitly repackaged goods.”

The National Police Service has also urged members of the public to report suspected criminal activities through the Fichua Kwa DCI platform.

Members of the public can make anonymous reports by calling 0800 722 203, a toll-free number, or through WhatsApp on 0709 570 000.