By Joel Clinton
July 12th 2026,Residents of Umoja Estate in Thika woke up to a heavy police presence after a multi-agency security operation uncovered a large stash of suspected illegal goods believed to be stored in the area for distribution.
The overnight operation led to the arrest of seven suspects after officers raided a compound thought to be at the center of an illegal trade network. During the operation, police seized about 13,200 litres of ethanol stored in 66 drums and recovered 17,640 packets of suspected counterfeit Pall Mall cigarettes hidden under animal hides inside a lorry. Two Lorries believed to have transported the cargo were also impounded as investigations continue.
The operation attracted dozens of residents who gathered at a distance while officers searched the premises and loaded the recovered goods onto police vehicles. Many expressed relief that authorities had acted against what they described as suspicious activities that had been happening for a while.
“I have lived here for 2 years, and we always wondered why large trucks would arrive late at night and leave before dawn,” said Simon Kaguta, a resident of Umoja. “We feared asking questions because we didn’t know who was involved. Seeing the police take action gives us hope that our neighborhood will become safer after a long awaited cry from all of us, residents.”
The operation has revealed the dangers hidden within residential areas. “We never imagined such huge amounts of suspected illegal goods were stored so close to our homes,” Elizabeth Nzisa said. “If these products were being distributed from here, then our community was at risk without even knowing it. We hope investigations will uncover who is involved.”
Police confirmed that the operation was based on intelligence and involved several security agencies working together to break down illegal trade networks in the region. Thika Sub-County Police Commander Peter Kimani urged the public to continue collaborating with law enforcement by reporting suspicious activities. “This successful operation shows our commitment to protecting the public from criminal networks dealing in counterfeit and illegal products,” he said. “Investigations are ongoing, and anyone found to have participated in this illegal operation will face the full force of the law. We also encourage residents to share information that can help prevent similar crimes.”
The seven suspects remain in police custody as detectives continue to investigate the source of the seized ethanol and counterfeit cigarettes, identify additional suspects, and determine the intended destinations of the recovered goods. Authorities have assured residents that further operations will be conducted to eliminate illegal trade networks in Thika and its surrounding areas that has been going on for quite some time now.
