Webuye Police Seize Suspected Illegal Ethanol Haul, Launch Hunt for Driver and Owners

Police in Webuye have intercepted a suspected illegal ethanol consignment after discovering an abandoned lorry near a petrol station, raising concerns over unlawful trade in potentially hazardous substances.

Officers from the National Police Service stumbled upon the vehicle during routine patrols and decided to search it after noticing it had been left unattended. Inside, they found 32 barrels, each holding about 250 litres of a liquid believed to be ethanol—amounting to a massive haul that could have been headed for illegal distribution.

The lorry and the barrels have since been taken to Webuye Police Station, where samples are being collected for forensic testing to confirm the substance and determine its intended use. Authorities are also working to trace the vehicle’s ownership and track down the driver and any accomplices involved in the suspected operation.

Ethanol, when handled and distributed without proper regulation, can pose serious risks to public health and legitimate businesses, especially if diverted into the illicit alcohol market or other unsafe uses.

Police say investigations are ongoing and have reaffirmed their commitment to cracking down on illegal trade, protecting licensed traders, and keeping dangerous substances off the streets.