Two suspects have been charged before the Hamisi Law Court with possession of excisable goods affixed with counterfeit excise stamps worth Ksh473,793 worth of taxes.
The two accused persons; Morris Musyoka and Philimon Talam were separately arrested on 29th December 2020 at Lusengeli area and Shiru area respectively within Vihiga County.
Musyoka was found in possession of 300 cartons of Idakho Vodka while Talam was found in possession of African Spear containing 20 bottles of 250ml each all affixed with counterfeit stamps purpoted to have been issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
Possession of counterfeit stamps is contrary to Regulation 10(1)(g) of the Excise Duty (Excisable Goods Management System) Regulation 2017 as read with section 28 and 40 of the Excise Duty Act No.23 Laws of Kenya.
The accused denied the charges and were each released on Kshs. 30,000 cash bail each or Ksh80,000 bond.
The case will be mentioned on 14th January 2021 while a hearing has been set for 17th January 2021.
In October last year, KRA in conjunction with the multi-agency team charged with combating illicit trade impounded more than 1,600 cartons of alcoholic products bearing fake excise stamps.
The products, which had a market value of Ksh12 million, were seized at a Thika-based plant in Kiambu County. The products branded Fiesta Special Ice, were packed in 10-litre bottles.
The multi-agency team had received intelligence alert that a six-wheeler lorry was ferrying spirituous drinks affixed with suspected fake excise stamps.
The lorry was intercepted and upon verification, it was confirmed that indeed the products were bearing counterfeit excise stamps.
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