Mystery clouds destination of Sh8.2b Indian Ocean drug haul

Some 1,024 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, a synthetic drug, was seized 630 kilometres East of Mombasa. [Jotham Mghendi, Standard]

The destination of the Sh8.2 billion methamphetamine seized in the Indian Ocean is yet to be established as detectives race against time to unmask the real faces behind the drug haul.

Apart from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda being mentioned as possible destinations, investigators are also training their lenses on Mozambique, Zanzibar, Comoros and Mauritius in their wide probe.

Although six suspects are in custody, detectives have not been able to extract vital information from the Iranian nationals identified as Imtiyaz Daryayi, Rahim Baksh, Nadeem Jadgal, Jasem Darzadeh Nia, Imran Baloch and Hassan Baloch.

The suspects have not disclosed to police the exact destination of the synthetic stimulant, also known as crystal meth.

“We are still at the preliminary stage, but ultimatum we endevour to establish the source and destination of the narcotics,” said an anti-narcotics detective.

A Mombasa court on Monday granted police 30 days to continue holding Iranians. They were not charged after Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) applied for more time to allow investigators to complete their investigations into the seizure.

The 1,024 kilogrammes of methamphetamine were seized 630 kilometres East of Mombasa on October 23, 2025.

The vessel, christened MV Igol was sailing to an unknown country within the Indian Ocean region when it was intercepted by the Kenya Navy and Kenya Coast Guard Service following collaboration between Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and international partners.

DCI boss Mohamed Amin yesterday told The Standard said investigations were in progress, though the exact destination of the haul remains a mystery at the moment.

“It this stage we can’t speculate but believe the narcotics were to destined to either East Africa or any of the countries along the Indian Ocean coastline,” said Amin.

The seizure came barely two weeks after Kenya destroyed chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine at the East African Portland Cement plant in Athi River, Machakos County.

The precursor chemicals were discovered in a laboratory in a sleepy village in Namanga of Kajiado County in September last year.

It is believed that a transnational network was in the process of setting up a large-scale drug manufacturing lab targeting both local and international markets.

Speaking on behalf of Amin during the destruction exercise, Bernard Walumoli, director in charge of Planning, reaffirmed DCI’s unwavering resolve to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks while cutting off the supply of illicit substances at their source.

"The destruction of these chemicals sends a clear message; Kenya will not be a safe haven for organised criminal networks involved in the manufacture and distribution of dangerous drugs,” said Walumoli.

A sting operation by the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) detectives led to the discovery of the large-scale methamphetamine production lab on a 10-acre parcel of land, eight kilometers from the Nairobi-Namanga highway.

The team found the active drug production facility complete with precursor chemicals, laboratory equipment, and chemical formulas detailing the meth-making process.

Six suspects, among them Kenyans identified as Francis Maina Gachau, Betty Mukami Michemi, and Caroline Wambui Muchira were arrested. The foreigners were Nigerians Ogba Mba Egwu and Ojukwu Agwu, and Mexican national Alvarado Vera Israel.