Government Disposes 400 Tonnes of Contraband Sugar into the Indian Ocean

The government has disposed 400 tonnes of contraband sugar into the Indian Ocean.

The destruction of the Sh28 million commodity was supervised by Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed and his Tourism counterpart Najib Balala. The sugar was smuggled into Kenya from Dubai and was intercepted in February 2016 at the Mombasa port.

"We are witnessing the destruction of illicit sugar that was brought into the country without full disclosure,” Mohamed said.

The consignment was nabbed after joint efforts by Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority and Anti-Counterfeit Agency.

"To make an example of people like these, we have taken the decision to destroy the 400 tonnes by pouring it into the ocean," Mohamed said.

Mohamed said the government will destroy all illicit goods seized at the port. Another 162 containers of confiscated contraband goods will be destroyed next week, the CS said.

"There is an illegality committed and action will have to be taken. We are not going to spare any form of illicit trade in Kenya whether it is contraband, undervalued or substandard goods," Trade PS Chris Kiptoo said.