A routine investigation into drug trafficking in Mombasa has led to revelations that may not only taint the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) but also spark a diplomatic spat between Kenya and its global partners in the fight against narcotics.
Last week, intelligence reports led detectives to a woman found to be involved in the methamphetamine (crystal meth) trade in Mombasa City. Sources within security circles disclosed that what raised eyebrows was the packaging of the drugs, which appeared similar to that of the consignment intercepted in the high seas in October this year.
The suspect, later identified as the wife of a KDF soldier who is allegedly related to a member of Parliament, was picked up by Military Police and taken in for interrogation. Her case is expected to be handled at the martial courts alongside KDF personnel suspected of involvement in the illicit trade.
In October, a multi-agency operation involving the Kenya Navy, Directorate of Criminal Investigations and other civilian agencies intercepted crystal meth worth more than Sh8.2 billion in the Indian Ocean. It later emerged that the operation, which led to the arrest of the vessel’s Iranian crew, also involved international agencies, including from the United States.
The woman arrested in Mombasa last week was found with several kilos of the synthetic drug and about Sh700,000 suspected to be proceeds of the illegal business. The exact amount of drugs recovered has not yet been disclosed.
Iranian suspects found in possession of substances suspected to be methamphetamine valued at Sh8.2 billion at the Mombasa Port on October 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
“We understand something fishy happened when the personnel intercepted the haul in the dhow. The officers had mishandled the exhibit and in that process, some rogue officers might have taken advantage and hid part of the consignment,” said an officer who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
“The officers might have taken the drugs even before presenting the final consignment to the other teams and this must have happened in the deep sea since what was declared is still intact,” the source added.
On Tuesday, through its strategic communications department, the KDF confirmed that a number of suspected military personnel are under investigation by the relevant authorities, and should the allegations be substantiated, appropriate disciplinary and legal measures will be taken.
“It has been alleged that during the operation, and as the narcotics were being offloaded for transport ashore, some KDF personnel involved in the mission stole and concealed portions of the narcotics for personal gain,” the statement reads.
“We wish to clarify that the entire 1,024 kilogrammes of methamphetamine offloaded ashore remains intact and is under continuous, round-the-clock protection by a dedicated multi-agency security team,” it added.
On November 14, a Shanzu court ordered that six Iranian nationals arrested during the operation remain in custody for a further 21 days as investigations into the source and ownership of the narcotics consignment continue.
Detectives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit are investigating the foreigners—Jasem Darzaen Nia, Nadeem Jadgai, Imran Baloch, Hassan Baloch, Rahim Baksh, and Imtiyaz Daryayi—in relation to the offence of trafficking the drugs.
The dhow was seized on October 19 in the Indian Ocean before being towed to Mombasa, where it docked at the port on October 25. The vessel is believed to belong to a drug cartel operating along the East African coast.
Some of the 1,024 kilogrammes of synthetic drugs seized from six Iranian crew members aboard a vessel. The haul, estimated to be worth Sh8.2 billion, was seized about 650 km off the shore of Mombasa.
Photo credit: Wachira Mwangi | Nation Media Group
Detectives obtained a search warrant that led to the recovery of more than 1,000 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, a synthetic drug whose long-term use can cause severe weight loss and psychological dependence.
The stateless vessel was intercepted about 630 kilometres east of Mombasa. The 1,024 kilogrammes of methamphetamine were concealed in black polythene bags with yellow tape labelled “100 per cent roasted and grounded Arabica coffee”. According to investigators, tests by the Government Chemist confirmed the drug to be 98 per cent pure.
The destination of the dhow, named MV Mashallah, has not yet been disclosed, but authorities believe the shipment was intended for distribution within the region.
In 2006, 1.1 tonnes of cocaine worth Sh6 billion were seized by police in Nairobi and Malindi. In 2014, another vessel, MV Amin Darya (also known as Al Noor), was intercepted on the high seas carrying 377 kilogrammes of solid heroin, 33,200 litres of liquid heroin, and 2,400 litres of heroin-mixed diesel worth more than Sh1.3 billion.
