Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett issuing statement on Monday at Director of Criminal Investigations headquarters in Nairobi where he revealed the arrest of Cameroon and Niger nationals in South C where they were able to recover bags full of fake currencies. The two foreigners had earlier conned a man of Sh40 million.
BY SAM ALFAN.
Police in Nairobi have arrested Cameroon and Niger nationals in South C where they were able to recover bags full of fake currencies. The two foreigners had earlier conned a man of Sh40 million.
The two men whom they describe as kingpins in a money laundering ring were arrested with $693 million worth of fake money which was stored in a house along Mombasa road.
Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett said an additional 369 million Euros was also seized during the haul.
The IG says the two Cameroon and Niger nationals were arrested following a tip off from a member of the public and warned anybody dealing in fake currency that their days were numbered.
IG announcement came hours after the two were arraigned in court on Monday and police were allowed to detain them for more days to enable them complete investigations on the matter.
“We came by this huge haul based on a tip-off by a member of the public that an individual had been conned of a Sh40 million purportedly in exchange of US dollars and Euros that had been shipped in from Syria. The subsequent police operation led to the discovery of 693 million dollars in fake currency,” he stated.
He further urged Kenyans to be careful of dealers in fake currency who he says have swindled many of their hard earned cash.
“We also discovered 369 million fake Euros and some of it was just plain paper, cleverly bundled up together to appear as if they were genuine currency. We also discovered money printing machines, computers and chemicals, all being materials used to make foreign currencies,” he said.
He lauded the person who provided the tip-off and emphasized the need for everyone to work together in the war against crime.
“In this respect I would like to thank not only the individual who gave us that tip off but also other members of the public who have continued to support us in the war on crime,” he stated.
He explained that following the arrest, a number of complaints have been received regarding such money laundering rings which con people.
“I wish also to inform you that rising out of the activities of these individuals, we have received complaints emanating as far as Comoros that there are in our midst individuals who print fake currencies that are exported beyond our shores and that does not make us look good at all,” he said.
Mean while Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet has redeployed 27 police officers including two of his deputies.
Deputy Tom Omami was assigned to the Forensic department from the DCI headquarters in theletter dated January 15.
Assistant IG Patrick Mugo who was based at the Police headquarters was moved to the Inspectorate.
Senior officers redeployed are Gideon Kibunja, from Director of Planning to Rift Valley regional coordinator.
Vitalis Otieno is the new deputy commandant at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations training school.
Superintendent of Police Henry Kiambati who was Buruburu DCIO will take over the post in Nakuru.
SP Emily Wangari who was the personal assistant to former DIG Grace Kaindi has been moved to the DCI’s Public Complaints department.
The redeployment follows the vetting of 1,364 officers in an exercise that took 14 months and ended in October, 2015.
