Seven suspects have been arrested and counterfeit cooking oil valued at Ksh 100 million impounded following a raid on a private yard in Mombasa County.

The multi-agency operation involving the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) and security officers dismantled  the counterfeit cooking oil syndicate in Shimanzi, Mvita Constituency where authorities impounded 13 trucks used to smuggle the illicit products and confiscated hundreds of jerricans branded with labels of popular Kenyan cooking oil firms.

Officials led by ACA Coast Regional Manager Ibrahim Bulle confirmed the products were of poor quality and unfit for human consumption.

During the operation, officers discovered crude oil being processed in unhygienic conditions and repackaged into 20-litre jerry cans for sale in the local market. Inside the yard, the team also found two large tankers, several drums, processing and packaging machinery, more than 400 jerricans, and 14 transit goods tankers.

According to Bulle, the facility was engaged in multiple criminal activities spanning different jurisdictions, prompting a combined response from government agencies.

“We have identified several offences being committed within this facility. That is why a multi-agency team was formed by the County Commissioner to unravel, detect, and deal with the case under criminal proceedings,” said Bulle.

The bust is among the largest seizures of counterfeit cooking oil in recent months and comes as government agencies intensify efforts to curb the circulation of harmful consumer products in the market.

Authorities have since launched a manhunt to pursue four other suspects who managed to escape the scene.