The 2,000 bags of contraband sugar that were seized in a warehouse in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area have mercury and copper components.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, Interior CS Fred Matiang’i added that it has about 12 percent moisture and is harmful to consumers.
The sugar, mostly brown, was found in 50 kg bags at a godown in Section Three of the area.
Cooking oil was also found by officers who had been tipped, Flying Squad boss Musa Yego said, adding the consignment was from Brazil. It was to be transported to Mumias and Kabras sugar factories for refining.
Matiang’i said another 1,600 bags of sugar were seized on Mombasa Road in the morning, while being transported to Eastleigh.
The CS said the results of tests on counterfeit goods confiscated over the last one month have been “shocking”.
“It is unfortunate that some characters are making abnormal profits from selling poisonous and injurious products to Kenyans,” he said. “The criminality around illegal sugar importation and fuel adulteration is mind boggling.”
At the DCI headquarters in Nairobi, he added that a detailed report on the investigations will be handed to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
