Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested 18 suspects in Eastleigh for allegedly diverting a consignment of fabrics meant for export to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into the local market, evading taxes in the process.
How the Smuggling Syndicate Operated
The Elite Operation Support Unit (OSU), which had been tracking the group, moved in after the suspects tampered with the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) to disguise their activities.
The trailer (Reg. No. KBT 641G/ZD3436) transporting the goods swapped its number plates at Machakos Junction to KBY 548K to evade detection.
The truck made multiple stops in Nairobi before heading to Mai Mahiu, where additional modifications were done to conceal its identity.
It was then driven into Eastleigh’s KBS parking yard, where suspects began offloading the fabric, prompting the DCI raid.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigations
Among those arrested were:
✅ Driver Meshack Leo
✅ Store owners Yusuf Mohammed Noor & Abdi Nasir Dur
✅ 15 other accomplices
Authorities say this syndicate has a history of smuggling, having allegedly diverted at least five other trucks using similar tactics.
The suspected importer, Kasdama Kasongo Francois from DRC, has been linked to previous fabric smuggling cases. Investigators believe the cartel bribed corrupt officials along the transit corridor to bypass tracking alerts and smuggle high-tax textiles into the local market.
Government Revenue Loss & Further Action
Fabric imports attract high tax rates, meaning such illegal operations cause significant revenue losses.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Investigations Department is now working with DCI detectives to uncover the full extent of the fraud and identify more accomplices.
