Ksh8.2bn Meth Case: Six Iranians put on defence as Shanzu trial enters new phase

MOMBASA, Kenya—  Shanzu court has ordered six Iranian nationals to defend themselves in a case involving more than one tonne of methamphetamine allegedly seized from a vessel intercepted on the high seas.

Chief Magistrate Anthony Mwicigi on Friday ruled that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against the six accused persons, paving the way for the defence hearing.

The six — Jaseem Darzadeh Nia, Nadeem Jadgal, Hassan Baloch, Raheem Baksh, Imran Baloch and Imtiyaz Daryay — are facing charges of trafficking 1,036.044 kilogrammes of methamphetamine valued at Sh8.2 billion.

The prosecution closed its case after calling 12 witnesses, with the court now requiring each of the accused persons to respond to the evidence presented against them.

The court heard that the alleged drug consignment was being transported aboard a vessel identified as Mashaallah, which the prosecution described as unregistered and stateless.

The alleged offence is said to have occurred between October 17 and 20, 2025, in international waters.

In his ruling, Magistrate Mwicigi noted the unusual nature of the case, given that the alleged trafficking operation originated on the high seas before eventually coming before the Shanzu court.

The magistrate, however, stressed that the ruling did not amount to a finding of guilt.

He said the court’s task at this stage was only to determine whether the prosecution had presented enough evidence to require the accused persons to mount a defence, rather than determine whether the charge had been proved beyond reasonable doubt.

The six will now proceed to the defence stage under Section 211 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The prosecution team comprises Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Joseph Kimanthi, Principal Prosecution Counsel Alex Ndiema and Prosecution Counsel Henrietta Mburu.

The case will now continue with the accused persons given an opportunity to respond to the evidence presented by the prosecution.