Police Impound Abandoned Lorry with 32 Barrels of Suspected Illegal Ethanol in Webuye
Police in Webuye, Bungoma County, have seized a lorry discovered abandoned near a petrol station during a routine patrol, uncovering 32 barrels filled with a liquid suspected to be ethanol.
Each barrel has a capacity of 250 litres, bringing the total volume to approximately 8,000 litres. The vehicle was spotted and inspected by officers, who believe the consignment was being transported illegally, possibly for use in producing illicit alcoholic beverages. The lorry appears to have been deliberately left behind, with authorities suspecting the driver and accomplices fled upon noticing police presence.
The impounded vehicle and its contents have been taken to Webuye Police Station pending further verification, including laboratory sampling and forensic analysis to confirm the substance's identity and whether it entered the country unlawfully. Investigations are ongoing to trace the lorry's owner, locate the driver, and identify any individuals or networks involved in the operation. The National Police Service has emphasized its resolve to crack down on illegal trade in such substances, stating that those behind these activities will face the full consequences of the law to safeguard public health and safety.
This incident highlights persistent challenges with illicit ethanol smuggling and unregulated alcohol production in parts of western Kenya. No arrests have been reported yet in connection with this specific haul, but the seizure forms part of broader enforcement efforts against contraband goods that could fuel dangerous homemade brews. Authorities continue to probe the cargo's intended destination and the broader syndicate potentially orchestrating the transport.
