Man arrested for manufacturing,selling counterfeit cosmetic products to shops in Garissa town

Garissa,Kenya, Sep 4 –  Officers from Iftin police station Friday arrested a man suspected to be part of a criminal network that has been manufacturing and selling counterfeit cosmetic products in the open market in Garissa county.

Isaac Muthama Wolile, 53, was arrested following a tip off from members of the public to police that he has been making the products at this home.

“Yesterday at around 11pm, officers from Iftin police station received an intelligence report that there was a house that was suspected to be occupied by people manufacturing counterfeit products,” said Garissa sub county police commander Joseph Muriuki.

Though the suspects attempted to flee the scene leaving behind their counterfeit products, they were captured by a multi-agency security dragnet.

Police recovered several counterfeit products including cosmetics, detergents, stamps and label stickers.

“The suspect has been selling the products to shops in Garissa town, Dadaab and Madogo for the last three or more months,” he said.

A multi agency team consisting of officers drawn from the  Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Directorate of criminal investigations (DCI) and area police have since launched investigations.

“This is a breakthrough because we have been able to arrest the main suspect. We are warning others who are doing the same business that we will still come for them,” said Muriuki.

Meanwhile members of the public have been warned not to buy products from uncertified suppliers at the same time to keep a keen eye on products that do not bear the mark of certification by KEBS.