Sh8.2bn meth haul to go up in smoke in Mombasa

MOMBASA, Kenya—A massive consignment of methamphetamine worth an estimated Sh8.2 billion is set to be destroyed in Mombasa on Thursday, months after the Kenya Navy intercepted the drugs in the Indian Ocean.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is expected to lead the destruction exercise involving 1,036.044 kilogrammes of the illicit drug.

The disposal comes as six Iranian nationals accused of trafficking the consignment continue to face trial before the Shanzu Law Courts.

The suspects—Jaseem Darzadeh Nia, Nadeem Jadgal, Hassan Baloch, Raheem Baksh, Imran Baloch and Imtiyaz Daryay—are charged with trafficking narcotic drugs contrary to Section 4(a)(ii) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act.

Earlier this month, Shanzu Chief Magistrate Anthony Mwicigi ruled that the six have a case to answer after the prosecution presented 12 witnesses and closed its case.

The suspects are now required to mount their defence under Section 211 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The finding that there is a prima facie case is not a conviction, and the accused remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The drugs were intercepted on October 21, 2025, after the Kenya Navy stopped a dhow identified as Mashaallah about 340 nautical miles east of the Mombasa coast.

A search of the vessel uncovered hundreds of packets containing a crystal-like substance, which forensic analysis later identified as methamphetamine.

The prosecution told the court that the drugs had been concealed in compartments of the vessel, which was described as unregistered and stateless.

The alleged trafficking took place between October 17 and 20, 2025, in international waters, according to evidence presented in court.

The interception followed intelligence shared through regional maritime and narcotics coordination mechanisms, enabling Kenyan security agencies to track the vessel, intercept it and escort it to Mombasa.

The source and intended destination of the consignment have not been disclosed.

Authorities had earlier told the court that destroying the drugs was the safest way of dealing with the seized narcotics while the criminal proceedings continue.

Thursday’s exercise will bring senior government and security officials to Mombasa as Kenya moves to dispose of one of the largest methamphetamine consignments to become the subject of a criminal case before the Kenyan courts.