Over the past week, the National Police Service carried out a nationwide crackdown that led to, among others, the recovery of Ksh4 million worth of fake dollars and drugs worth Ksh17 million.

Dubbed Usalama XI, the crackdown was led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ National Central Bureau (NCB-Nairobi) and was part of a joint regional initiative by the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO) and the Southern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO). 

“In a show of unity and precision, officers from the National Police Service joined forces with multiple enforcement and state agencies, leading to major seizures of narcotics, counterfeit goods, and several high-profile arrests,” DCI said in a statement on October 10.

The counterfeit US currency valued at $31,700 (Ksh4 million) was recovered in Lang’ata after the officers raided an apartment on October 8.

A 32-year-old suspect was arrested at the apartment and taken into custody at the DCI headquarters.

Extending to the Coast, the team intercepted a lorry en route from Mombasa to Nairobi, ferrying bhang.

Upon inspection at Mariakani Police Station, officers uncovered nine and a half sacks of the drug weighing 568.85 kilograms, with an estimated street value of Ksh17 million. 

The 38-year-old driver was arrested, and both the truck and narcotics were seized as exhibits.

In a separate wildlife trafficking operation, two suspects were arrested on October 6 in the Shalom area along Mombasa Road, in possession of five elephant tusks valued at approximately Ksh7.8 million. 

Lastly, in Eldoret, the detectives dismantled a digital piracy operation linked to the illegal sale and installation of pirated Home Internet and Streaming services.  

The raid at the premises recovered two mobile phones, 135 advertising flyers, and the internet service pirate control panel, through which detectives disconnected 64 unauthorised subscribers. 

The suspect in the case was processed by the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) ahead of prosecution. By Maurine Kirambia, Kenyans.co.ke