Police in Meru seize over 1,000 litres of illicit brew

Police in Meru have seized over 1,000 litres of illicit alcohol during a crackdown in Majengo area.

Addressing the press, police said one suspect was arrested during the raid and he is currently in police custody waiting to be arraigned tomorrow, Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Police also noted that 370 litres of the illicit brew nabbed will be presented in court as evidence. The officers added that a manhunt for three more suspects has been launched in the area.

"Already tulinasa karibu over 1,000 litres kwa drums ndio tukaleta hapo, na kuileta hapo 370 litres already iko kwa mtungi tutampeleka nayo Kortini so jamaa ako ndani na nafikiri ataenda kortini kesho asubuhi. Mtu mmoja tu ameshikwa because sisi tunataka tu mwenye pombe kwa sababu yeye ndio anaharibu jina yetu ya Meru so already tumemweka ndani so I think wale watatu, wanne wamebaki ata hao nimeanza kupanga tuwashike," police said.

Loosely translates to;

"Already we have seized over 1,000 litres stored in drums, from this 370 litres seized will be presented in court as evidence, the suspect is currently in custody and is set to be arraigned in court tomorrow. Only one suspect was arrested because we had launched a hunt for the owner of the illicit brews. We have also launched a hunt for the other suspects."

Police further reiterated their commitment to taming the use of illicit brews in the area warning that those still involved in the business will be arrested to face the law.

"Hatuna shida kama ni pombe imepitia kwa serikali lakini hii haramu nafikirii mda wao umeisha, nimeambiwa kuna zingine tatu katika hii town lakini haitamaliza wiki ntakua nimewashika," police added.

Loosely translates to;

"We have no issue if the alcohol is legal...for the other suspects roaming free, I assure everyone that they will be arrested by the end of the week."

The latest comes amid heightened efforts to tame the production and use of illicit brews in the country.

To curb the production of the illegal brews, the government has set up a raft of measures including shutting down joints and imposing harsh penalties on offenders.