Two individuals, Dahir Ahmed Hassan and Abdifitah Ahmed Dahir, were brought before the Milimani law courts on Wednesday to face a range of charges after detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) apprehended them in possession of 25 kilograms of contraband milk powder concealed in 408 bags.
The duo stands accused of various offenses, including the possession of uncustomed goods, importing dairy produce without a valid license issued by the Kenya Dairy Board, and failure to pay import levies to the Kenya Dairy Board. This arrest is part of an ongoing effort to combat the increasing trade in contraband milk powder.
The crackdown gained momentum on January 6 when five individuals connected to the illicit trade were arrested in Eastleigh, Nairobi. An undercover operation led to the recovery of 25 kilograms of cream milk powder, bearing the Fresh Dairy brand from Brookside Uganda, hidden in sacks. Additionally, 77 containers of Aptamil breast milk from the United Kingdom (each weighing 800 grams) were seized, with some samples found to contain fungi. The operation also uncovered 20 containers of Nestle Nan Optripo from Mexico, each weighing 400 grams.
Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the suspected ringleader of this illegal operation.
This incident occurred just two days after another pair of suspects, Joseph Waweru (the main suspect) and Ali Noor (reported to be a broker), were arrested with 32.5 tonnes of suspected contraband milk powder at a godown along the Eastern Bypass. The seized items included 181 bags of Fresh Dairy from Brookside Uganda, 421 bags of Gardo from New Zealand, 485 bags of Non Dairy Creamer from China, 56 bags of Sama from New Zealand, six bags of Lato from Uganda, and 289 bags of maize corn starch from India.
The arrested individuals are currently in police custody, awaiting arraignment. Authorities continue their investigations into these cases as part of broader efforts to curb the illegal trade in contraband milk powder.
