The government has finally released the suspected contraband sugar nabbed at a flower firm in Athi River, Machakos County in June 2018.
The 12,400 bags of 50 kilograms sugar has been given a go-ahead for direct release to the market by Kenya Bureau of Stands
The consignment had been impounded by Machakos county security team at Primarosa Flowers Limited on June 25.
Athi River deputy county commissioner David Juma said government’s multi-agencies comprising of KRA, Kebs, Anti Counterfeit Authority, public health, sub-county security team, and intelligence committee released the seized 12,400 bags to Express Ltd Company on Wednesday after government chemist, and kebs reports cleared the sugar-free from any heavy metals.
Juma said Express Ltd Company representatives who were present during the exercise confirmed the consignment was intact.
During the sugar’s seizer, the then Machakos County commissioner Matilda Sakwa who led the operations said security agencies seized the bags after a tip-off from a member of the public, who informed DCI office in Athi River that there was sugar in the company.
The operation was led by Sakwa, Machakos county commander Samuel Mukindia, the then area DCIO Jonah Kirui, and the Kenya Bureau of Standards, the Anti-Counterfeit Agency, and the Kenya Revenue Authority officials.
“As the county security team, we decided to come and verify if indeed there was sugar here,” Sakwa said in June.
She said it was suspicious the company was keeping the sugar in its stores, while it is known for dealing in flowers for export.
Sakwa said the sugar was imported from Brazil. She said police had sealed off the stores as officers from Kebs, KRA and Anti-Counterfeit Agency conduct their inspections to find out if the sugar is fit for human consumption and legally imported.
“Kebs is already verifying if the sugar is safe for human consumption, what is interesting is that sugar is kept here, a place for flower business. The place will be cordoned off,” she said.
#hivisasaoriginal