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Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested four suspects and seized counterfeit bank notes worth Ksh4.3 million in Makueni County.
In a statement on Friday, August 28, DCI said detectives first conducted an operation in Kambu Township, where they arrested two suspects found in possession of Ksh4 million in counterfeit Ksh1,000 notes.
The suspects were identified as 57-year-old Sophia Adhiambo and 59-year-old Michael Gitau.
“A counterfeit syndicate dealing in fake banknotes has been dismantled in Makueni County after officers from Mtito Andei Police Station executed a swift, intelligence-led crackdown, seizing counterfeit currency with a face value of Ksh4,378,000.
“The operation first targeted Kambu Township, where officers caught two suspects flat-footed. Sophia Adhiambo, 57, and Michael Gitau, 59, were cornered in possession of Ksh4 million in fake Ksh1,000 notes,” read the statement in part.
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The officers then extended their operation to Mtito Andei where they intercepted a HOWO truck which was transporting fertilizer from Mombasa to Naivasha.
“Determined to pull the network out root and branch, the officers extended their dragnet to Mtito Andei Township. There, they intercepted a HOWO truck, Reg No. KDX 614H/ZH 8450, which was transporting fertilizer from Mombasa to Naivasha,” DCI stated.
A thorough search of the truck uncovered an additional Ksh378,000 in counterfeit Ksh1,000 notes concealed inside the vehicle, bringing the total value of the recovered fake currency to Ksh4.378 million.
Two men who were aboard the truck, 52-year-old Robert Tonde and 42-year-old Stephen Musila, were arrested on the spot.
The four suspects are currently in police custody undergoing processing ahead of their arraignment in court. The seized counterfeit notes have been secured at Mtito Andei Police Station.
Meanwhile, detectives are following the money trail to establish the source and intended destination of the fake currency.
“Meanwhile, investigations continue with detectives now following the money trail to establish the source, intended destination and wider network behind the counterfeit currency,” DCI said.
This comes weeks after detectives arrested two suspects transporting counterfeit currency worth Ksh6 million.
The suspects, John Safari Mbiti and Erick Njuguna Wambui, were travelling in a black Toyota Vitz en route from Thika towards Kithimani when officers flagged down the vehicle for inspection.
A meticulous search of the car led to the recovery of counterfeit Ksh1,000 notes neatly packed into four bundles, with a combined face value of Ksh6 million.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects were transporting the counterfeit currency to Wamunyu, Kitui County, where it was to be handed over to an accomplice for further processing to make it resemble genuine currency before being circulated,” DCI said.
