The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have uncovered and disrupted an attempted jet fuel theft operation at Wilson Airport, leading to the arrest of four suspects and the seizure of hundreds of litres of jet fuel.
The incident unfolded during a surveillance operation led by the Kenya Airport Police Unit (KAPU), a specialised arm of the DCI tasked with securing aviation facilities.
Acting on suspicion, detectives intercepted a white Mitsubishi Canter within the airport grounds. Although the vehicle appeared to be part of routine airport logistics, further inspection revealed a concealed consignment of four drums, each containing 200 litres of jet fuel.
Fuel Siphoned from Aircraft Under Maintenance
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fuel had been illegally siphoned from an aircraft undergoing maintenance at the NASD hangar. The aircraft is operated by Airworks Aviation, and was temporarily grounded for servicing creating an opportunity that the suspects allegedly exploited.
Authorities believe the suspects took advantage of reduced scrutiny typically associated with maintenance operations to carry out the siphoning undetected.
Suspects Arrested, Regulatory Breaches Identified
The alleged mastermind behind the operation was apprehended at the scene. Investigators established that the suspect lacked a valid airport gate pass, raising immediate concerns about unauthorized access to restricted zones.
Also arrested were the vehicle’s driver along with two accomplices. All four suspects are currently in police custody as they undergo processing ahead of formal charges.
Further scrutiny revealed that the vehicle used to transport the fuel did not have the required licensing from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), a mandatory requirement for handling and transporting petroleum products in Kenya.
Security and Regulatory Concerns Raised
The incident has raised fresh concerns about fuel security and access control within critical infrastructure such as airports.
Authorities have since impounded both the vehicle and the recovered fuel, which will serve as key exhibits in the ongoing investigation and subsequent prosecution.
