KSh 8 Billion Drugs Haul: Six Iranians Remanded for 30 Days

Kenya, 28 October 2025 - Six Iranian nationals, arrested on Saturday in a major drugs bust, will remain in custody for the next 30 days while detectives continue to gather more evidence on the suspected cross-border trafficking network, so as to build a watertight case.

Chief Magistrate Antony Muchigi at Shanzu Law Courts approved the application on Tuesday following a request from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for extended detention.

The suspects will be held at Port Police Station pending further orders.

The court also authorised the seized consignment to be sent to the Government Chemist for analysis and the suspects’ mobile phones to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for forensic examination.

The men — Jasem Darzadeh Nia, Nadeem Jadgal, Imran Baloch, Hassan Baloch, Rahim Baksh, and Imtiyaz Daryayi — were first arraigned on Monday.

They were arrested on 25 October 2025 at Kilindini Harbour after a multi-agency operation intercepted the stateless vessel MV Igor that was carrying 1,035.986 kg of suspected methamphetamine with a street value of Ksh 8.2 billion.

Read: Six Iranians Arrested in Mombasa While in Possession of Narcotics Valued at KSh 8.2 Billion

The Kenya Navy had stopped the vessel approximately 630 km east of Mombasa.

A total of 769 packets, believed to be crystal meth, were recovered from hidden compartments.

Prosecutors told the court the investigation remains active due to offshore operations, international shipping links, and potential involvement of multiple jurisdictions.

The prosecution also raised concerns about the court-provided interpreter and requested an independent translator to ensure fairness.

The magistrate acknowledged the request and scheduled a mention for Tuesday. Given the scale of the seizure and possible global connections, prosecutors argued that continued detention was necessary to preserve evidence and trace the network’s leadership.

The magistrate agreed, ordering the suspects to remain in custody while forensic and intelligence work continues.

Codenamed "Operation Bahari Safi," the seizure highlights growing concerns that the Indian Ocean is being used to traffic high-value synthetic drugs.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed the drugs will be publicly destroyed by fire once charges are finalised, reinforcing the government’s anti-narcotics stance.

"This will serve as a warning to the international drugs networks that Kenyan authorities are alert and that security of our maritime is our major concern," Mr Murkomen said.

The case returns to court on 14 November 2025 for updates on forensic results and the ongoing investigation.

Until then, the six remain under police guard, with their phones and the seized substances undergoing laboratory analysis.