Two men were arrested after detectives raided a homestead in Muthua, Kabete, Kiambu County, where they allegedly discovered a fake juice manufacturing business.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced on Thursday, October 1, that the site was targeted after a member of the public filed a complaint over allegations that the premises were being used to produce counterfeit beverages. Detectives with Kabete Police Station investigation branch quickly followed up on the lead and arrested Alex Mwaruta and James Munala Inyangala at the scene.

According to the DCI, the two were caught in the act of manufacturing fake drinks.

“What appeared to be a normal homestead in Muthua, Kabete, was in fact a clandestine juice factory dealing in counterfeit beverages until a member of the public reported the problem,” DCI said.

During the search, the police recovered about 1,400 pieces of 200ml and 300ml filled bottles of juice, 56 cartons of empty bottles, five packets of bottle tops, two blue drums. Three assorted-colour basins. Additionally, the detectives found office glue, a rubber stamp, ink and assorted stickers. Also, an expired certificate allegedly authenticating the use of the Standardisation Mark for a popular beverage was recovered.

The search also yielded powdery and colourless substances in 50-gramme packed cartons and 200ml and 300ml filled bottles. However, the DCI did not specify the nature of the substances or whether they had been tested in a laboratory. The Crime Scene Investigation officers took charge of the items as exhibits as police investigations continued. The two men are still in police custody as investigators work to establish the extent of the illicit business.

The DCI reiterated its commitment to eradicating the counterfeit beverages industry, stating that the raids would continue to target fake beverage manufacturers and models. According to the agency, the production of counterfeit drinks in informal settler factories presents a health hazard, especially since the items are meant for human consumption.

“Counterfeit beverages manufactured in unregulated and unhygienic environments present a health hazard to consumers,” the DCI said.

In addition, the production of counterfeit beverages also undermines the country’s local manufacturers and deprives the government of much-needed taxes. The investigations will determine whether the materials used in the illicit business were sourced from legitimate manufacturers. Moreover, the police will establish whether there were other people involved in the illegal business and whether the fake beverages had reached the market before the raid. The two men remain suspects in the case and have not been charged with any crime.