Two suspects, Geoffrey Torotich and Martin Siwotoi have been jointly charged at Kapenguria Law Court with the offences of smuggling goods worth KShs. 636,589 and KShs. 441, 000 in tax value from the neighboring country.
The two were found in possession of restricted goods contrary to section 200(d) as read with section 210 and 211 of the East African community customs management act of 2004.
The accused persons were jointly found in possession of 6500 bottles each containing 500ml of Senator beer and 750 bottles each containing 500ml of Guinness beer on a motor vehicle registration number KCL 099J Isuzu FRR valued at Kshs 636,589.
The accused persons were arrested On the 20th day of February 2022 at Chepareria area along Ortum road in West Pokot County within the Republic of Kenya by Police officers and Kenya Revenue Authority KRA officers on an intelligence led operation and were arraigned in court.
According to the charge sheet the two were charged on three accounts :Conveying Uncustomed Goods Contrary to Section 199(b) as read with Section 199(iii) of East African Community Customs Management Act 2004, Being in Possession of Uncustomed Goods Contrary to Section 200(d) iii as read with Section 210 and 211 of the East African Community and Customs Management Act 2004 and being in Possession of Excisable Goods without Authority Contrary to Section 39(5) as read with Section 41 of the Excise Duty Act No. 23 Laws of Kenya.
Appearing before Margaret Nafula Principal Magistrate Kapenguria Law Courts on 24th March 2022 the accused persons pleaded not guilty and were released on a bond of Kshs 100,000 or cash bail of ksh 50,000.
The two smuggled the goods to the country from the neighboring country Uganda and the liquor is being stored at Eldoret customs warehouse.
The matter will be mentioned on 13th April 2022.
