A covert police operation in Diani has led to the arrest of three people suspected of running a counterfeit money syndicate operating across the Coast region.
In a statement on Sunday, November 30, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the group had been circulating fake cash in Mombasa and neighbouring areas before officers moved in on their hideout.
"A covert police operation in Diani has led to the arrest of three suspects involved in a counterfeiting ring that has been flooding Mombasa and nearby areas with fake cash," the DCI said.
According to detectives, the suspects were tracked after intelligence connected them to a secret location in Diani believed to be central to the illegal trade.
"The suspects, Fadhili Lawrence, Atemba Lawrence, and Electrine Okwako, were apprehended after police followed forensic leads to a secret hideout in Diani, where the illegal trade was reported to thrive," the DCI added.
Read More
According to the agency, inside the hideout, police recovered a large stash of fake Ksh1,000 notes.
"Inside, detectives found Ksh1.7 million in counterfeit money. The fake Ksh1,000 notes were hidden in a laptop bag with a white ribbon labelled ‘CBK 1000,’ a misleading detail meant to suggest authenticity," the statement further read.
Investigators believe the three are part of a wider criminal group responsible for distributing counterfeit currency along the Coast.
The suspects remain in custody as police continue tracking down other members of the syndicate.
"Preliminary investigations show that the three suspects are key cogs in a broader criminal network believed to be distributing fake cash along the coast.
"The three are currently in custody, being processed before their court appearance, as officers continue the search for other members of the syndicate who are still at large," the statement concluded.
This comes months after DCI detectives arrested two women in possession of counterfeit US dollars, worth over Ksh70 million.
In a statement on Friday, August 29, DCI said the two suspects identified as Ifrah Ali Jeyte and Qamar Salat Abdi were arrested during a well-coordinated operation in Upperhill.
"Detectives from the DCI Nairobi regional office have apprehended two women in possession of substantial quantities of counterfeit US dollars.
"Acting on solid intelligence, detectives conducted a well-coordinated operation in Upper Hill where they arrested the female suspects, Ifrah Ali Jeyte and Qamar Salat Abdi," read part of the DCI statement.
The DCI detectives searched the women and recovered numerous bundles of $100 denomination notes cleverly concealed inside a handbag.
The seized money was later counted at the DCI Nairobi area headquarters, where it was confirmed to total $560,000 (Ksh70 million) in fake notes.
"The magnitude of their operation became evident when officers conducted a count of the counterfeit currency at DCI Nairobi Area Headquarters, uncovering a total of USD 560,000, equivalent to approximately Ksh70 million," DCI stated.
