A methamphetamine lab linked to the Mexican cartel in Olelopo village in Namanga, Kajiado County. (Inset) Businessman Elisha Asumo.
Details have begun emerging of how Kenya is quietly battling the infiltration of one of Mexico’s most dangerous drug trafficking organisations — Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
From the arrest of Kenyan businessman Elisha Odhiambo Asumo — who is linked to cross-border arms deals — to the discovery of a makeshift methamphetamine laboratory in Namanga near the Tanzanian border, the cartel appears to be making moves to entrench itself in the East African region.
Despite the developments, the Mexican Embassy in Nairobi has declined to comment on the cartel’s alleged presence in Kenya.
It, however, confirmed that it is providing consular support within the framework of the Vienna Convention.
“In regard to the alleged involvement of a Mexican national in criminal activities in Kenya, the embassy cannot comment on an ongoing trial. However, within the framework of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, of which both Mexico and Kenya are part, the embassy keeps providing the requested consular assistance,” the Mexican Embassy said in a statement.
Makeshift perimeter wall for a methamphetamine laboratory in Olelopo village, Namanga, Kajiado County on March 19, 2025.
The group is a transnational criminal group that splintered from the Sinaloa Cartel after infighting and arrests of key figures. Known for extreme violence, the group is led by Nemesio Oseguera Ramos, alias “El Mencho,” who remains one of the world’s most wanted men.
The US government has offered a $10 million (about Sh1.2 billion) bounty for information leading to his arrest.
The cartel is involved in trafficking methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin. It also engages in fuel theft, extortion, human smuggling, and controls key Mexican ports that give it access to global trade routes.
The US and international authorities have linked Mr Asumo to the group. He was arrested on April 8, 2025, in Marrakesh, Morocco, following an International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) diffusion notice issued by the US. A diffusion notice is Interpol terminology, which means a “wanted man”.
Mr Asumo is facing two charges in the US for conspiracy to unlawfully import narcotics and conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Both offences carry possible life sentences.
Investigations found that between 2022 and 2024, Mr Asumo facilitated arms shipments and created fake end-user certificates — one was purportedly issued in Tanzania. He also allegedly met cartel representatives in South Africa in early 2023 to finalise logistics. Attempts to confirm whether he has been extradited to the US from Morocco remain futile.
In a separate but related case, authorities in Kenya arrested Israel Alvarado Vera, a former Mexican police officer and alleged CJNG operative, following the discovery of a methamphetamine lab near Namanga in September 2024.
Confiscated drugs hidden in two shipping containers carrying audio equipment bound for Australia, in California city on February 8, 2019. Photo | AFP
Mr Vera fled shortly after the bust but was later captured. He was allegedly overseeing drug processing for export. A Kenyan woman and two Nigerians were arrested alongside him.
Investigations have linked the lab to a global network in Nigeria, South Africa, Gabon, Mexico, and Brazil. It is headed by a fugitive believed to have fled to Uganda.
The suspects were found in possession of chemicals such as Methylamine, Phenylacetone, tartaric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethanol, Acetone and Toluene.
Investigations have linked the lab to a global network in Nigeria, South Africa, Gabon, Mexico, and Brazil. It is headed by a fugitive believed to have fled to Uganda.
