Two people have been arrested after they were allegedly found transporting 250 sacks of uncustomed sugar valued at approximately Sh1.2 million along the Kisumu-Busia Road.
The suspects were arrested last evening during an operation conducted by a multi-agency team comprising police officers and officials from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
According to police, the team acted on intelligence indicating that a lorry was transporting the consignment, prompting officers to lay an ambush and intercept the vehicle along the busy highway.
The lorry was reportedly carrying 250 sacks of sugar, each weighing 50 kilogrammes, raising suspicions that the consignment was being transported while evading the required taxes and regulatory procedures.
Police said the sugar lacked proper documentation, including records confirming the payment of applicable KRA revenue charges.
The consignment also reportedly had no visible dates of manufacture, raising further concerns about its compliance with regulatory requirements.
The vehicle was being driven by Sample Obudo, 43, who was accompanied by his conductor, Erick Ochieng, 31. Both men were arrested during the operation and are being held at Kondele Police Station as investigations continue.
Police said the two suspects are expected to be arraigned in court to face charges relating to the possession and transportation of uncustomed goods, as well as the importation of restricted goods without the required permit.
The arrest comes amid efforts by law enforcement agencies and revenue authorities to combat the transportation and sale of goods suspected to have entered or circulated in the country outside established customs and tax procedures.
The movement of goods without the necessary customs documentation can expose the government to revenue losses and undermine efforts to ensure fair competition for businesses that comply with tax and import regulations.
However, the allegations against the two suspects will be subject to the court process, where the circumstances surrounding the consignment and its documentation are expected to be examined.
Authorities have not provided further details about the origin of the sugar or where the consignment was destined to be delivered. The suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.
