An operation conducted by the Operations Support Unit (OSU) detectives out to capture cartels selling contraband milk powder has resulted in the seizure of over 32.5 tonnes of the same at a godown located along the Eastern Bypass.

In the sting operation, an unsuspecting known broker in Eastleigh named Ali Noor directed an undercover hawkshaw to the Kamakis area along Eastern Bypass, after he (the officer) posed as a potential buyer.

On arrival, a KBP 480A Mitsubishi truck loaded with an agreed 150 bags each weighing 25 kg arrived.

The agreed price was Sh16,500 per bag, translating to ksh2,475,000 in the transaction. The truck was under the escort of the consignment owner, Joseph Waweru, who was driving a Toyota Prado Reg. No. KDN 573V and is believed to be the main supplier to business people within Nairobi.

Other detectives who were stealthily following pounced on the two suspects (Joseph Waweru and Ali Noor) but the youthful truck driver ran away.

After interrogation, the OSU team managed to trace the godown of the main suspect (Joseph Waweru) which is located at Twin Industrial Park Godowns within the Ruai area off Eastern Bypass.

Gaining access in the presence of the suspect, they recovered another 1150 bags each weighing 25 kg of milk powder (5 brands) and 289 bags each weighing 25 kg of Maize corn starch.

Also inside the godown was a truck Reg No. KDG 087Z with 17 empty drums suspected to be used to transport Ethanol.

The brands of the milk powder include 181 bags of branded Fresh Dairy products from Brookside Uganda, 421 bags of branded Gardo products from New Zealand, 485 bags of Non-Dairy Creamer products from China, 56 bags of branded SAMA products from New Zealand, 6 bags branded Lato product of Uganda & 289 bags of maize corn starch product of India.

Suspects are placed in custody as further investigations continue.

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