Police have seized approximately 3,600 litres of uncustomed cooking oil during a security operation in Marsabit County.

The consignment was intercepted on Monday, June 29, 2026, after officers from the National Police Service (NPS) stationed at a roadblock, acting on credible intelligence, flagged down a vehicle travelling from Moyale towards Marsabit Town.

A search of the vehicle revealed cooking oil, which officers suspected had been imported into the country without the required customs clearance.

The driver was escorted to Marsabit Police Station as investigations into the matter began.

“Earlier today, police officers deployed at a roadblock in Marsabit County, while conducting routine security and compliance checks, acted on credible intelligence and flagged down a motor vehicle travelling from Moyale towards Marsabit Town,”the NPS statement read on X.

KRA confirms customs violations

Following the seizure, officers from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) in Marsabit visited the police station to inspect the consignment. According to the NPS, KRA officers confirmed that the cooking oil had not complied with the required customs procedures.

“Appropriate legal and investigative processes have since commenced,” the police said.

Authorities did not disclose the identity of the driver or indicate where the cooking oil was destined.

Risks of uncustomed goods

The National Police Service said the movement of uncustomed goods poses economic, security and public health risks.

According to the service, such products often bypass mandatory quality assurance and safety inspections, making it difficult to verify whether they meet the required standards before reaching consumers.

Police also noted that illicit trade undermines businesses that comply with tax and regulatory requirements by creating unfair competition in the market.

The service added that smuggling also contributes to other forms of economic crime while denying the government revenue collected through customs duties and taxes.

The police service said it will continue working with the Kenya Revenue Authority and other government agencies to combat smuggling and illicit trade.

“The National Police Service, in collaboration with the Kenya Revenue Authority and other relevant agencies, remains committed to combating smuggling and all forms of illicit trade,” the statement said.

The seizure is the latest operation targeting the illegal movement of goods along Kenya’s border routes, with investigations expected to establish the source of the consignment and whether further offences were committed under customs and revenue laws.