Six Iranians arrested as Kenya Navy seizes Sh8.2 billion meth haul in Indian Ocean
The vessel, identified as MV Mashallah, was intercepted about 630 kilometres east of Mombasa during a four-day multi-agency security operation dubbed Operation Bahari Safi.
Six Iranian nationals have been arrested after a multiagency operation intercepted a stateless vessel in the Indian Ocean carrying more than one tonne of methamphetamine, in what authorities have described as a huge success in narcotics seizures in the country’s history.
The vessel, identified as MV Mashallah, was intercepted about 630 kilometres east of Mombasa during a four-day multi-agency security operation dubbed Operation Bahari Safi.
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The operation was led by the Kenya Navy in collaboration with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Kenya Coast Guard Service, and other regional partners.
According to DCI Director Mohamed Amin, the security agencies successfully tracked and intercepted the suspicious vessel, which had no flag and was therefore deemed stateless under international maritime law.
“We followed through the legal protocols and made a miscellaneous application before the court for purposes of detention and a thorough search. Upon inspection, we discovered 769 packages of crystalline substances weighing approximately 1,024 kilograms. Preliminary tests conducted by government chemists confirmed the substance to be methamphetamine,” he said.
He added that the drugs, with a street value estimated at Sh8.2 billion, were found to be 98 per cent pure, marking a significant blow to transnational organised crime networks operating within the region.
“This is a huge success in our fight against drug trafficking and other forms of organised crime in the region and across the continent. The operation demonstrates the commitment of our law enforcement agencies to combating narcotics and ensuring national security.”
The six Iranian nationals found on board the vessel are currently being held in Mombasa and are expected to be arraigned on Monday.
Deputy Commander of the Kenya Navy, Brigadier Sankale Kiswaa, said the operation was the result of close coordination between Kenyan security agencies and international intelligence partners.
“This success was achieved through cooperation with regional partners who provided valuable intelligence on the movement of the vessel. The ship had been under the radar of the international community, suspected of engaging in illicit activities, particularly narcotics trafficking in the western Indian Ocean.”
He commended his team and the multi-agency taskforce for what he described as a seamless and well-coordinated operation, noting that the interception was a strong message to drug traffickers using Kenyan waters.
“I want to thank the Kenya Navy and our partner agencies for their professionalism and teamwork. This is a big step in securing our maritime borders and protecting our country from the dangers of illicit trade.”
Investigations are ongoing to determine the origin and intended destination of the consignment.
The DCI boss noted that it was still too early to confirm where the drugs were headed, but assured that detectives were working closely with international agencies to trace the trafficking network behind the consignment.
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