BY: PENNINAH MUCHIRI

A nationwide security operation has led to the recovery of suspected counterfeit and illegal goods worth KSh 62.7 million, with authorities arresting 29 suspects and rescuing seven people believed to be victims of human trafficking.

The three-day exercise, known as Operation Usalama XII, was coordinated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in partnership with INTERPOL and other government agencies. It covered Nairobi, Central, Coast, Rift Valley, Eastern, Nyanza and Western regions.

In Nairobi, detectives recovered thousands of suspected fake phone chargers, football jerseys, sports equipment, beauty products and vehicle spare parts. Officers also discovered suspected falsified medicines and public medical supplies at an unlicensed clinic in Kayole.

In a separate operation in Eastleigh, officers seized products suspected of containing controlled substances from a pharmacy for further examination.

The crackdown also uncovered suspected illegal recruitment activities. Detectives in Westlands arrested a suspect linked to an allegedly unlicensed recruitment agency and recovered 85 Kenyan passports, work visas and employment contracts.

Meanwhile, three girls were rescued from suspected sexual exploitation in Roysambu. In Gilgil, officers intercepted four Somali nationals believed to be victims of human trafficking, including two minors.

In Nakuru County, police arrested a suspect found transporting 90,000 sticks of suspected smuggled cigarettes valued at approximately KSh 2 million. Counterfeit excise stamps were also recovered.

Other operations in Central and Nyanza regions resulted in the seizure of suspected counterfeit and unmarked alcoholic drinks, mobile phones, storage devices and footwear.

Authorities also checked 198 motor vehicles against INTERPOL databases as part of efforts to identify possible links to criminal activities.

The operation brought together several agencies involved in law enforcement, consumer protection, drug control and the investigation of human trafficking and wildlife-related offences.

The DCI has not released the identities of all the suspects arrested. Investigations into the recovered goods and suspected criminal activities are expected to continue.