On Monday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested 18 suspects in Eastleigh, Nairobi.
The suspects were reported to have involved themselves in a multi-million shilling tax evasion scheme.
The arrests followed days of high-surveillance.
The suspects were arrested while they were allegedly unloading a shipment of fabrics en route from Mombasa to DRC.
According to DCI, the arrest was as a result of a thorough investigation conducted by the elite Operation Support Unit (OSU).
“In a classic case of impunity and conspiracy with rogue government officials, the trailer carrying the consignment was spotted changing its original registration plates from KBT 641G/ZD3436 to KBY 548K at the Machakos Junction”, DCI reported.
The operation is said to have become more suspicious when the trailer made several stops around the capital, where it travelled to Mai Mahiu, where stickers were applied to further conceal the truck’s identity.
The vehicle eventually arrived at the KBS parking lot in Eastleigh where the offloading began, only to be quickly interrupted by detectives.
Upon investigation, it was found that the group had previously diverted five trucks carrying similar consignments linked to the same consignee, Kasdama Kasongo Francois of the DRC.
According to authorities, the network might be part of a larger criminal network that has perfected the art of compromising RECTS officers and those assigned to monitor the transit corridor.
