Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested 18 suspects at a godown in Eastleigh, Nairobi, after ambushing them while offloading a consignment of fabrics allegedly in transit from the Port of Mombasa to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The operation, conducted Monday evening, followed days of surveillance by officers from the elite Operation Support Unit (OSU), who had been tracking an organized criminal syndicate involved in tax fraud.
The suspects are accused of falsely declaring goods as exports before diverting them into local markets to evade taxation.
In a brazen display of impunity and collusion with rogue government officials, the trailer carrying the consignment (Reg. No. KBT 641G/ZD3436) was spotted changing its original registration plates to KBY 548K at Machakos Junction.
At the same time, the suspects tampered with the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) before proceeding toward Nairobi.
The vehicle made several stops around the capital, seemingly to check if the tampering had been detected before continuing to Mai Mahiu.
There, the driver and an accomplice applied stickers to further conceal the trailer’s identity. It later diverted to the KBS parking yard in Eastleigh, where it was opened for offloading.
Right on cue, DCI detectives moved in, arresting 18 suspects, including the driver Meshack Leo and two store owners, Yusuf Mohammed Noor and Abdi Nasir Dur.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the same syndicate has been under probe by the DCI and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Investigations Department for previously diverting five trucks carrying similar consignments.
The goods were registered under the same consignee/importer, Kasdama Kasongo Francois of DRC.
Authorities believe the suspects are part of a larger criminal network that has mastered the art of cargo diversion by compromising RECTS officers tasked with monitoring the tracking system, as well as officials stationed along the transit corridor.
Imported textiles are subjected to higher taxation rates, making them a prime target for tax evasion schemes. By diverting such goods, the cartel has been depriving the government of substantial revenue.
DCI detectives are currently processing the scene as investigations continue.
