Police officers in Marsabit County have intercepted about 3,600 litres of cooking oil suspected to have entered Kenya without undergoing the required customs clearance procedures, triggering investigations by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) into possible customs violations.
The consignment was seized during a roadblock operation conducted on Monday along the Moyale-Marsabit road after officers received intelligence about the movement of the suspected goods.
Police said officers carrying out routine security and compliance checks flagged down a vehicle travelling from Moyale towards Marsabit Town before conducting a search.
According to the National Police Service (NPS), the search established that the vehicle was transporting approximately 3,600 litres of cooking oil believed to have been imported into the country without complying with customs requirements.
Following the discovery, police escorted the driver and the vehicle to Marsabit Police Station, where officers from the Kenya Revenue Authority were called in to assess the consignment.
KRA officials later confirmed that the goods were suspected to have breached customs laws, prompting the commencement of legal and investigative processes.
"Police officers deployed at a roadblock in Marsabit County, while conducting routine security and compliance checks, acted on credible intelligence and flagged down a motor vehicle travelling from Moyale towards Marsabit Town," the National Police Service said in a statement.
The service further stated that, "Following the discovery, the driver was directed to proceed to Marsabit Police Station under police escort. Officers from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) in Marsabit were notified and subsequently visited the station, where they confirmed the suspected customs violations. Appropriate legal and investigative processes have since commenced."
The Kenya Revenue Authority is now expected to establish the origin of the cooking oil, determine whether customs duties were evaded, and take appropriate action under the country's customs and tax laws. Investigators will also examine the supply chain involved in transporting the goods into Kenya.
Police said the seizure forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen border security and curb the movement of goods entering the country outside the legal customs system.
Authorities said roadblock operations and intelligence-led enforcement remain key tools in detecting smuggled goods before they reach local markets.
The National Police Service warned that the circulation of uncustomed goods poses challenges beyond the loss of government revenue. It said products imported without following customs procedures often bypass mandatory quality assurance and safety inspections, making it difficult for authorities to verify whether they meet the standards required for sale and consumption.
Police also noted that the illegal movement of such goods creates an uneven business environment by allowing traders who evade taxes and regulations to compete unfairly against businesses that comply with the law. According to the service, the practice also encourages cross-border smuggling and contributes to other forms of economic crime.
Authorities said the interception demonstrates the continued cooperation between the National Police Service and the Kenya Revenue Authority in enforcing customs regulations and combating illegal cross-border trade.
Marsabit County borders Ethiopia and serves as one of the key routes for the movement of goods into Kenya.
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