Detectives in Bungoma have disrupted a suspected sugar repackaging operation after an intelligence-led raid targeting uncustomed goods at Bukembe Shopping Centre in Bungoma South Sub-County.
Officers from the Operations Support Unit (OSU) and DCI Bungoma South conducted the operation at premises linked to a suspect identified as Paul Mwangi. During the search, detectives seized 76 bags of 50kg West Valley Sugar and nine additional bags containing sugar that had already been repackaged in sacks carrying Chinese branding.
The team also discovered 10 empty 50kg bags labelled Mayuge Sugar, a Ugandan brand. The discovery has raised concerns that the premises could have been used to repackage and rebrand sugar using different identities.
Further searches were conducted on a white Nissan Vanette, registration number KDG 347E, associated with Mwangi. Officers recovered 26 more 50kg bags of West Valley Sugar from the vehicle, which investigators believe may have been intended for transportation and distribution.
Detectives later searched a godown owned by the suspect, situated south of Bukembe Shopping Centre. The operation yielded another 98 bags of 50kg West Valley Sugar as well as 1,700 empty 50kg bags bearing the West Valley Sugar brand.
Crime Scene Investigation officers processed and documented the premises before the recovered items were secured as exhibits for further investigations.
Mwangi has been placed in custody as investigators seek to establish the source of the sugar, identify other individuals involved and determine the extent of the suspected distribution network.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to protect consumers, safeguard legitimate traders and dismantle networks involved in the illegal trade and repackaging of uncustomed goods.
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