Government tightens up on illicit trade in Coast region

A multi-agency security team in Mombasa on Monday launched a fresh crackdown on the illicit brew, drug abuse, and other criminal activities in the coastal city.

 The operation to be sustained for the next 30-days targets seeks to contain the surge of illicit and substandard alcoholic drinks, unlicensed liquor stores, and drug and substance abuse.

It is part of the countrywide campaign to eradicate the vice.

The team brings together the National Police Service, local administration, National Authority for Campaign against Alcohol and Drugs Abuse (NACADA), Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards, and Anti-Counterfeit Authority.

Leading the operation, Coast Regional Commissioner (RC) John Elungata said the government will intensify its operations against the vice.

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He further noted that the crackdown on counterfeit products will be extended to the port of Mombasa saying “the port is sometimes used as a conduit of importing substandard and counterfeit products”

He said the operation will also be extended to counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, Tana River, and Taita Taveta to stamp out the vice.

Meanwhile, NACADA Regional Coordinator George Karisa said Mombasa is among other counties in the coastal region that are affected by the high prevalence of illicit brew and drug abuse in the country.

According to the coordinator, drug abuse in the region is growing at an alarming rate, especially among the youth.

“The drug problem does not only relate to criminal activities but also contributes to ill-health and disability”

Karisa says NACADA will work closely with other government agencies to rid the region of the vice.

On the other hand, Mombasa County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo said the multi-agency team will scale up the war against perpetrators of this illegal business.

He notes that the vice has contributed to the rise of criminal activities.

 “We will not allow a few greedy individuals to continue enriching themselves through illicit business at the expense of the lives of our people,” added Kitiyo.