Three Armed Police Officers Among 14 Arrested in Nairobi Dollar and Gold Raid

Three serving police officers were among 14 people arrested after DCI detectives raided a Nairobi warehouse and recovered bundles of suspected counterfeit US dollars, suspected fake gold bars and chemicals investigators believe were intended for making counterfeit currency. The October 1 operation targeted a warehouse behind Vision Plaza in Nairobi’s Industrial Area, following a complaint lodged at JKIA Police Station by a US national identified as Alkhalifi Ibrahim Hassan. According to the DCI, the arrested officers were attached to the Security of Government Buildings unit at Uhuru Camp. Two carried Beretta pistols, while the third carried a pistol described in the statement as a Chalbi. Their presence at the warehouse places the conduct of serving security officers at the centre of an investigation involving Kenyan suspects and foreign nationals from Nigeria, Cameroon and Sudan. Cement Inside Sealed Pallets Detectives recovered 31 sealed black pallets during the search. According to the DCI, three contained 156 bundles of US$100 notes suspected to be counterfeit. The remaining pallets contained cement. A separate black bag held another 13 bundles of suspected counterfeit US$100 notes, bringing the number of bundles recovered to 169. The statement did not specify how many individual notes were in each bundle or provide a verified face value for the seized currency. The discovery of cement in most of the sealed pallets adds another dimension to the inquiry. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the consignment and the roles of those arrested. Gold Bars, Chemicals and Dollar-Printed Papers Seized The search also yielded a plastic box containing 65 suspected fake gold bars, a box of assorted chemicals and another containing papers printed with US dollar notes. Investigators believe the chemicals were intended for manufacturing counterfeit currency. The materials have been secured as exhibits while inquiries continue. The combination of dollar bundles, gold-coloured bars and production materials has widened the investigation beyond the currency itself to the activities taking place inside the warehouse. UN Seals and KRA Jackets Recovered Other items recovered included assorted aluminium seals, seven cartons of UN blue plastic seals and two Kenya Revenue Authority reflector jackets. Detectives also seized two empty suitcases, a green pallet-strapping roll, a padlock cutter and a hacksaw. The DCI statement did not explain how the seals and reflector jackets had been obtained or what purpose they served. Their recovery does not establish any involvement by the United Nations or KRA. Police Officers Named Among Suspects The DCI identified the three arrested officers as Corporal Joseph Otenyo Okimba, APC Douglas O. Odira and APC Felix Oyawa Odhiambo. The other suspects were named as Anthony Oyieka Namani, identified as Nigerian; Soulemanou, identified as Cameroonian; Abbas Ibrahim Mohamed, identified as Sudanese; George Kinyanjui; Geofrey Omondi Juma; William Kimolo; Solomon Ndeda; Raphael Wayaya; Kevin Barasa; Erick Honla; and Maureen Ogany. Investigators are working to establish each suspect’s role. The statement did not disclose the substance of the complainant’s report, whether money had changed hands or whether anyone had suffered a financial loss. Questions for the Security Officers The arrest of three armed, serving officers raises direct questions about why they were at the warehouse and what they were doing there. The DCI has not stated whether they were on an authorised assignment, providing private security or participating in the activities under investigation. Establishing those circumstances will be central to determining their respective roles. Detectives processed the scene and secured the recovered items. All 14 suspects remain under investigation, with the DCI saying appropriate legal action will follow upon completion of the inquiry. The arrests place a warehouse containing suspected counterfeit dollars, suspected fake gold and official-looking materials under scrutiny and put three serving police officers among those required to account for their presence.