This archive report was first published on 21 April 2020.
On April 21, 2020, a multi-agency security team seized a Sh5 million consignment of dried fish smuggled from Somalia at Mokowe Jetty in Lamu.
The 761 bags of dried fish, weighing about 12 tonnes, were en route to Mombasa when they were intercepted.
Lamu County Commissioner Irungu Macharia led the exercise to burn the contraband fish at Hindi Grounds, accompanied by top county security officials and representatives from the Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya Ports Authority, Immigration, and Fisheries departments.
Mr. Macharia warned businesspeople against sneaking into Somalia for illegal trade, stating that the border between Kenya and Somalia is currently closed.
"Today we're here destroying 761 bags of dried fish which translates to 12 tonnes... We've seven suspects in custody. We will ensure they're prosecuted. It's an offense to conduct business in Somalia. The border is closed at the moment and those secretly engaging in cross-border trade are contravening the law. We will have you arrested and charged," said Mr. Macharia.
