The Directorate of Criminal Investigations on Monday evening arrested 18 suspects found offloading cargo declared for export at a godown in Eastleigh, Nairobi.
Through a statement released on Tuesday, DCI revealed that the suspects were caught during an ambush, with the detectives recovering a consignment of fabrics allegedly in transit from the Port of Mombasa to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). "DCI detectives have arrested 18 suspects at a godown in Eastleigh, Nairobi, after they were ambushed while offloading a consignment of fabrics allegedly on transit from the port of Mombasa to DRC," the sleuths revealed.
DCI revealed that the individuals were part of a suspected ring of organized criminals involved in tax fraud by falsely declaring goods for exports but later diverting them into local markets. A photo of textile products nabbed by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) during an operation in Eastleigh on Monday, March 10, 2025.
Photo Directorate of Criminal Investigations According to DCI, the criminals had colluded with government officials to change the number plates of the trailer carrying the consignment as well as tampering with the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) to drive the cargo out of the port. "In a classic case of impunity and conspiracy with rogue government officials, the trailer carrying the consignment was spotted changing its original registration plates at the Machakos Junction and, at the same time, tampered with the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) before proceeding with the journey towards Nairobi," DCI said.
