NAIROBI, Kenya – A nationwide crackdown on suspected counterfeit goods, smuggled products and organised crime has resulted in 29 arrests and seizures valued at more than Sh62.7 million, as detectives rescued seven suspected human trafficking victims and recovered 85 Kenyan passports from a suspected illegal recruitment agency.
The three-day operation, dubbed Operation Usalama XII, was conducted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in collaboration with INTERPOL and other law enforcement and regulatory agencies across seven regions.
The intelligence-led operation targeted suspected counterfeit goods, illicit alcohol, smuggled cigarettes, falsified pharmaceuticals, self-care products, human trafficking and wildlife-related crimes.
According to the DCI, officers also conducted 198 motor vehicle checks against INTERPOL databases as part of efforts to detect criminal activity and disrupt organised crime networks.
The operation covered Nairobi, Central, Coast, Rift Valley, Eastern, Nyanza and Western regions, bringing together the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit, National Anti-Narcotic Investigations Bureau (NANIB), Pharmacy and Poisons Board, brand owners and local police units.
Suspected Counterfeit Electronics, Jerseys Seized In Nairobi
In Nairobi, detectives seized suspected counterfeit consumer goods, electrical accessories and automotive components worth millions of shillings.
The recovered items included 3,991 suspected counterfeit Samsung and iPhone adapters, 1,963 football jerseys and Adidas-branded balls, beauty products, vehicle spare parts and lubricants.
Officers also recovered suspected falsified pharmaceuticals and diverted public medical supplies from an unlicensed clinic in Kayole.
In Eastleigh, NANIB detectives seized several bottles of products suspected to contain narcotic or psychotropic substances from a pharmacy for further analysis.
The seizures formed part of the wider operation targeting the circulation of potentially harmful, counterfeit and unlawfully distributed products.
85 Passports Recovered In Recruitment Agency Raid
The crackdown also targeted suspected human trafficking and exploitation networks.
In Westlands, detectives arrested a suspect at a recruitment agency allegedly operating without the required licence. Officers recovered 85 Kenyan passports, work visas and employment contracts during the operation.
In Roysambu, three girls were rescued from suspected sexual exploitation.
A separate operation in Gilgil led to the interception of four Somali nationals suspected to be victims of human trafficking, including two minors.
The cases are among the incidents uncovered during the multi-agency exercise targeting suspected exploitation and illegal recruitment activities.
Suspected Smuggled Cigarettes Worth Sh2 Million Seized
In Nakuru, officers arrested a suspect who was allegedly transporting 90,000 sticks of suspected smuggled cigarettes valued at approximately Sh2 million.
Detectives also recovered counterfeit excise stamps.
Other operations in Central and Nyanza regions resulted in arrests and seizures involving suspected counterfeit and unmarked alcoholic beverages.
Officers also recovered suspected counterfeit mobile phones, storage devices and footwear as the crackdown extended to multiple categories of goods believed to be involved in illegal trade.
DCI, INTERPOL Intensify Fight Against Organised Crime
Operation Usalama XII was coordinated by the National Central Bureau and the Director of Operations at DCI headquarters, bringing together investigative agencies, regulators, police units and brand owners.
The operation combined enforcement against suspected counterfeit products and contraband with investigations into human trafficking, illegal recruitment and other forms of transnational crime.
The DCI said the three-day exercise resulted in 29 arrests, seizures of suspected counterfeit and contraband goods valued at more than Sh62.7 million, 198 vehicle checks against INTERPOL databases, the rescue of seven suspected trafficking victims and the recovery of 85 Kenyan passports.
The findings underscore the broad scope of the operation, which targeted both illegal goods entering or circulating within the country and suspected criminal networks exploiting vulnerable people.
