Police in Malaba town have confiscated at least 2,480 liters of ethanol concealed in bags of rice husks.
A senior KRA official told Hot News the ethanol had been packed in 8 containers each carrying 310 liters.
The 8 plastic containers were then hidden inside the rice hulls which was declared as animal feed to customs officials at Malaba border.
The consignment was being ferried from Uganda.
It was ferried in a container and reportedly hid inside the bags of rice hulls which were between 200 to 500.
The truck carrying the ethanol was registered as KAY 772L.
Sources at the border said a similar consignment was nabbed in Busia boarder last week.
“The consignment was cleared in the Ugandan side as rice hulls which was animal feed. However, when it was scanned on the Kenyan side, it was discovered that the ethanol was hidden inside,” said a source who requested anonymity.
The capture comes almost a month after a Senior customs official at Malaba boarder ho was accused of colluding and allowing such cargo was transferred.
It is reported that the new customs boss has been insisting on all cargo to be scanned , if any suspicious cargo truck is suspected to carry contraband goods, the contents are physically off loaded and checked manually.
According to Wikipedia, Ethanol also called alcohol, ethyl alcohol and grain alcohol, is a clear, colorless liquid and the principle ingredient in alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, or brandy. Because it can readily dissolve in water and other organic compounds, ethanol also is an ingredient in a range of products, from personal care and beauty products to paints and varnishes to fuel.
Ethanol is a natural byproduct of plant fermentation and can be produced through the hydration of ethylene.