Kenya is once again in the global spotlight after a dramatic seizure of methamphetamine worth Ksh8 billion along the Indian Ocean. The case involving six Iranians arrested deep in the high seas has taken new twists, revealing a complex web of international traffickers, powerful financiers, and shadowy maritime networks that quietly move drugs across borders.
Fresh evidence, secret intelligence exchanges, and multi-agency coordination are painting a troubling picture of how far foreign cartels have penetrated regional waters. The details point to a meticulously planned operation that investigators believe goes far beyond the six men currently in custody.
Inside the High Stakes Ksh8 Billion Drug Bust in Mombasa
New information presented in court and leaked through investigative channels now shows that Kenyan security agencies may have stumbled on a much larger transnational cartel than initially believed.
Detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit recovered seven electronic devices from the unmarked vessel, including a GPS tracker. Officers believe these gadgets hold crucial digital trails that could map out the origin of the drugs, the intended route, and the money men behind the shipment.
The devices underscore what investigators have privately described as a highly organised, well-funded network that thrives on maritime blind spots and international loopholes.
The six Iranians were intercepted on October 26, nearly 630 kilometres off the Mombasa coast, after the vessel triggered alerts shared by regional and global partners. The boat had been under watch for days in the Western Indian Ocean.
Interception in Deep Waters Reveals Massive Haul
The interception involved one of the most coordinated operations in recent years. A joint team of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Kenyan Navy, the Coast Guard, and NACADA cornered the vessel after real-time alerts linked it to suspected drug trafficking routes.
Aboard the boat, officers found 769 packages believed to be methamphetamine. Early valuation placed the drugs at Ksh8 billion, making the bust one of the largest in Kenyan history.
Below is a summary of key items found during the raid.
| Item Recovered | Details |
|---|---|
| Illicit drug packages | 769 sealed units |
| Estimated street value | Ksh8 billion |
| Electronic devices | 7 total including GPS tracker |
| Crew members arrested | 6 Iranians |
Officials say the evidence collected from the devices could reveal satellite paths, contact lists, and encrypted messages linking the suspects to offshore financiers.
Court Battle Intensifies Under Tight Security
The case took a new turn during Friday’s court session where prosecutors argued that investigators needed more time to pursue international leads. They asked for a further 21 days of detention.
The court agreed, extending custody to 51 days in total. Prosecutors insisted that releasing the suspects before investigations are complete would derail a sensitive, multi-agency operation. They argued that investigators are working with foreign partners and handling delicate digital evidence that requires expert analysis.
The suspects had earlier appeared weak and ill, prompting Chief Magistrate Antony Mwicigi to demand an update on their welfare. Despite their condition, the court maintained that public interest and national security outweigh the push for early release.
Global Agencies Step In During Cross-Border Hunt
The operation has exposed the sheer scale of international collaboration behind the drug bust.
INTERPOL led key phases of the search and documentation, ensuring that evidence meets global judicial standards. Their marine officers confirmed that intelligence was shared between the Regional Narcotics Interagency Fusion Cell in Bahrain and the Regional Coordination Operations Centre in Seychelles.
The United States also played a role. Two officers from the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service joined the operation to assist with crew communication and search procedures. Officials noted that the effort received backing from the Donald Trump administration in Washington.
After the arrests, Kenyan authorities handed the seized substances to the Government Chemist for thorough analysis to verify their purity and composition.
Meanwhile, a multi-agency command centre chaired by the Kenyan Navy Deputy Commander remains active as investigators turn their focus to identifying the cartel’s regional contacts, financiers, and local fixers.
