A multi-agency team in Tharaka South Sub-County conducted a targeted operation against illicit brews and psychotropic substances in Kibunga Market on Friday, July 11.

During the operation, four suspects were arrested for possession of over 200 litres of illicit brew and 31 rolls of bhang.

All suspects were placed in police custody, pending processing and arraignment in court.

NPS assured the public that operations to curb the manufacture and distribution of illicit brews will continue and urged the public to support them by reporting any suspicious activity.

“The National Police Service (NPS) assures the public that operations to eradicate the manufacture, distribution, and consumption of illicit alcohol and other prohibited substances will continue countrywide. We urge the public to support the ongoing crackdown by reporting suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies,” they said in a statement.

This comes after Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen directed National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) and the National Police Service (NPS) to launch targeted operations against illicit brew dens and apprehend those responsible for the production and distribution of illegal and adulterated alcohol.

The crackdown comes amid growing public concern over the devastating effects of illicit alcohol, which has caused deaths, health complications, and social disruption in several regions.

Recent operations have seen the destruction of thousands of litres of illicit brew and the arrest of suspects, with authorities emphasizing the importance of safeguarding public health and protecting communities from harmful substances.

Murkomen also flagged the use of counterfeit Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) stamps to endorse fake alcoholic products, highlighting the role of criminal networks in the proliferation of dangerous drinks.