A major crackdown on illicit brew dens and joints operating outside stipulated times was on Thursday carried out by regular and administrative police officers in Nakuru town.
The exercise, which was led by Nakuru Divisional Police boss Benard Kioko and his Administrative police counterpart Francis Kirathe nabbed many dealers and patrons, who were taken to Nakuru Central police station, in what security apparatus termed as a wakeup call to alcohol control law breakers in the region.
While talking to journalists after the operation at the Nakuru Central Police, Kioko said that the operation was carried out following a series of complains by ordinary residents in the affected areas.
He said the suspects would be charged in court accordingly, to give out a stern warning to illicit brew dealers and alcoholic selling joint operators and patrons in residential areas, noting that the habits were not only illegal, but largely contribute to public health hazards and crime among many un employed youth.
“We have been receiving complaints from ordinary members of the public about particular notorious illicit brews and alcoholic drinks joints that were purposely breaking the law,” said the police boss.
“These people seem to take advantage of limited law enforcement personnel in the areas to break the law and that is why we came in full force. This is just a wakeup call. We will not relent to their unlawlessness because public health is at risk,” he added.
A total of fifty suspects were arrested and over 2000 litres of illicit brews and one hundred sachets of un-licensed alcoholic brands confiscated in the raids.